California Medical Services for Brain Injury Victims

Getting medical services in California can be difficult regardless of your particular situation. It is easiest for brain injury victims to get the medical care they need if they have health insurance. With health insurance, the medical provider you use can easily be paid for the services they render. If you don’t have insurance, getting health insurance is now a necessity and, currently, you have two choices for doing so in California.

Health Insurance in California

The publicly supported health insurance program is called Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal offers health insurance benefits to people with limited income or individuals who are disabled. Medi-Cal may be an appropriate avenue for brain injury victims to get the medical services they need in California. Medi-Cal offers ongoing enrollment year-round, allowing injury victims to get the medical services they need if they do not have health insurance available.

Additionally, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurance companies cannot deny coverage to anyone in California. As a result, if you have become disabled or need medical services after a brain injury, your insurance company cannot deny you coverage, or drop you from coverage, for getting the medical care you need.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

If you need medical attention at home or assistance with personal care after a brain injury, California offers a program called In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) that is available for blind, disabled and elderly Californians. If you live at home and are receiving Medi-Cal benefits, you may qualify for IHSS. The application and additional information are available here.

Social Security Disability Insurance & Supplemental Security Income

If you have become disabled as a result of a traumatic brain injury, you should also apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you do not qualify for SSDI, you should apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Having additional financial resources can make getting the medical care you need much easier in the long run.