By Age
Health Benefits for Seniors (65+)
This page covers the main California health benefits for seniors, including Medicare, drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, Medi-Cal, PACE, and SSI.
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Medicare Parts A and B
Who this is for:
Most Californians 65 and older, and some younger people with disability.
What you get:
- Part A mainly covers hospital care, and Part B mainly covers doctor visits and outpatient care.
- Many people do not expect the deductibles, premiums, 20% cost share, and the gaps in dental, vision, hearing, and long-term care.
- This is the base of Medicare for many older adults, but it is usually not the whole picture by itself.
What to do right now:
List your doctors, medications, and likely care needs before choosing the rest of your Medicare setup.
Last reviewed: April 2026
Medicare Part D
Who this is for:
Medicare users who need prescription coverage.
What you get:
- Part D helps pay for medications through a drug plan.
- Extra Help can lower drug-plan costs for people with limited income.
- In 2026, the annual Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100.
What to do right now:
Enter your exact medications and pharmacy into Medicare Plan Compare before choosing a drug plan.
Last reviewed: April 2026
Medicare Advantage
Who this is for:
Medicare users who want a private all-in-one plan instead of Original Medicare alone.
What you get:
- These plans usually bundle hospital, doctor, and often drug coverage together.
- Many also add dental, vision, and hearing extras.
- They often use networks and plan rules, so your doctors and hospitals may matter a lot.
What to do right now:
Call your doctors and ask if they take that exact plan next year before you enroll.
Last reviewed: April 2026
Medicare + Medi-Cal Together
Who this is for:
Older adults who qualify for both programs.
What you get:
- Medicare usually pays first, and Medi-Cal can help with premiums, deductibles, and copays.
- Medi-Cal can also help cover some services Medicare does not fully cover.
- This can be one of the strongest benefit combinations in California for people with modest income.
- As of January 2026, Non-MAGI Medi-Cal pathways used by most seniors have reinstated asset limits — up to $130,000 in assets is generally allowed for one person. Savings in certain accounts may be exempt.
What to do right now:
Apply for Medi-Cal or at least a Medicare Savings Program if your income is modest.
Last reviewed: April 2026
PACE
Who this is for:
People 55+ who meet a nursing-home level of care but can still live safely in the community and live in a PACE service area.
What you get:
- PACE combines medical care, long-term supports, transportation, and care coordination in one system.
- It can work especially well for seniors with many health and support needs.
- Not every ZIP code has PACE, so location matters.
What to do right now:
Check whether your ZIP code is in a California PACE service area and call for a screening.
Last reviewed: April 2026
SSI for Seniors
Who this is for:
Older adults with very low income and limited resources.
What you get:
- In California, SSI payments are higher than the federal base.
- SSI often brings Medi-Cal automatically, which can help with both cash needs and health coverage.
- Many people do not realize SSI can matter for older adults even without a separate disability application path.
What to do right now:
Apply if your income is very low instead of assuming SSI is only for disability.
Last reviewed: April 2026
Plain-English note: You may see terms like Medicare, Part D, SSI, PACE, or Medi-Cal on official websites.