Contra Costa Launches Expanded Basic Health Care Coverage for Uninsured and Undocumented

Contra Costa Health is now offering affordable health care coverage to uninsured county residents who don’t qualify for Medi-Cal or CoveredCA.

Potentially eligible residents can now call a financial counselor at 1-800-771-4270 to ask about enrolling in Basic Health Care, which offers coverage for primary care, medications, X-rays and more.

While Medi-Cal has expanded to include undocumented residents, some of those residents earn too much money to qualify. And they are not eligible for CoveredCA because they’re undocumented.

“We’re still seeing some people in our community fall through the cracks, unable to get health insurance,” said Gilbert Salinas, chief equity officer for Contra Costa Health (CCH). “Basic Health Care will help fill that gap and give people access to medical care.”

Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors made undocumented residents eligible for Basic Health Care. It’s estimated that more than 10,000 undocumented residents in Contra Costa are eligible for Basic Health Care.

To qualify for Basic Health Care, residents must have incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level. People enrolled in Basic Health Care will pay a sliding-scale quarterly premium depending on their income up to $20 a month. Enrollment in this program will not be considered as part of a public charge test for immigrants.

Basic Health Care enrollees will be able to access care at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and the County’s outpatient health centers.

“By improving access to primary medical services through Basic Health Care, we aim to reduce unnecessary visits to local hospital emergency departments,” Salinas said.

For more information, visit our Basic Health Care webpage.

Who Is Eligible

People living in Contra Costa who:

  • Have incomes no greater than 300% of the federal income guidelines
  • Are not eligible for Medi-Cal, Covered CA or any other health insurance
  • Are not members of HMO or PPO health insurance plans

Please note: children under 19 years of age who are eligible for restricted Medi-Cal must apply for the restricted benefit.

Cost

  • $0–$60 every three months for adults (based on income)
  • $0–$15 every three months for children 18 years old and younger

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4 comments

I’ve become my father September 5, 2024 - 8:52 pm
I’m having trouble understanding the cost for this coverage. According to the federal income guidelines 300% of the poverty guideline is $3,765 per month which is $45,180 a year for one adult. The most is $20 per month for this coverage. A family of five can have an income of $9,147 per month which is 109,764 per year and cover two adults and three children for $55 per month. How can our senior citizens on social security, earning way less than this, have around $145 taken out of their checks for Medicare every month? I believe our elected representatives need to explain how Contra Costa County can provide healthcare at a cost that the federal government is not able to come close to providing to our social security recipients. I do realize there is a difference in coverage between County and Medicare but the difference between income and coverage cost seems incredible to me. I’m thinking Contra Costa County should start offering homeowners insurance too because their prices can’t be beat and the demand will be going up.
Jiveass honky September 7, 2024 - 8:50 am
Any healthcare provided by co co county is being subsidized by federal dollars.
MODERATE September 8, 2024 - 9:34 am
Medicare is also subsidized by federal dollars (Medicare Trust Fund). Where could a senior find equivalent coverage in the private insurance market for $145 (or at all)? We can have a discussion about the pros and cons of offering government health insurance to the undocumented but the fact is that most will otherwise wind up using emergency rooms as their primary care provider and that is the MOST expensive way of delivering nonemergency healthcare (which we all pay for).
Jiveass honky September 10, 2024 - 9:00 am
The ILLEGALS are getting it for free , along with free money for rent and food. If it is good for the illegals , how about putting the old citizens and veterans first in line.

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