{"id":346,"date":"2019-11-06T16:41:57","date_gmt":"2019-11-07T00:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disabilityvoicesunited.org\/interchange\/communication\/?page_id=346"},"modified":"2019-11-06T18:41:28","modified_gmt":"2019-11-07T02:41:28","slug":"getting-communication-supports-through-medi-cal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/development.disabilityvoicesunited.org\/interchange\/communication\/getting-communication-supports-through-medi-cal\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Communication Supports Through Medi-Cal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This information was taken from Disability Rights California (DRC) publication #7151.01. It was last updated October 1, 2019. For more information, visit DRC’s Self-Advocacy Publication Hub<\/a>.<\/em>

Disclaimer:<\/em><\/strong> These\u00a0materials are based on the law at the time we write them. We try to update our materials; however, laws are regularly changing. If you want to make sure the law has not changed, contact DRC or another legal source.<\/em>
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Did you know that if you get Medi-Cal and your disability makes it hard for you to communicate, Medi-Cal might pay for communication supports that you need?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What is Medi-Cal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Medi-Cal is California\u2019s Medicaid program.  Medi-Cal provides health care coverage to many low-income people. If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you automatically get Medi-Cal.  Medi-Cal is not just for getting medicine or going to the doctor.  Medi-Cal can also include services and devices you need to communicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. What are communication supports?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCommunication supports\u201d are devices or services that help a person with a disability to communicate.  Communication supports are sometimes called Augmentative Communication Devices (ACD), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Assistive Technology (AT), or Durable Medical Equipment (DME).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Do I have a right to get communication supports from Medi-Cal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes. Medi-Cal will pay for a communication support if your doctor decides that it is \u201cmedically necessary\u201d for you.  Generally, services, supplies and devices are considered \u201cmedically necessary\u201d when they are \u201creasonable and necessary to protect life, to prevent significant illness or significant disability, or to alleviate severe pain.\u201d  For children under age 21, \u201cmedically necessary\u201d means \u201cnecessary to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illnesses and conditions.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, Medi-Cal has to agree to pay for the item first before you can get it. This is called \u201cprior authorization.\u201d Among other things, prior authorization can include a letter from a doctor or a therapist that says you have a medical need for the item.  As well, Medi-Cal will only pay for the lowest cost item that will meet your needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some examples of communication supports that you might be able to get from Medi-Cal:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n