Many Medi-Cal beneficiaries are unaware of their vision and dental benefits and those services are often underutilized as a result, California Department of Health Care Services officials said during a virtual briefing last week.
Preventative care is important to avoid serious complications in the future and beneficiaries should get eye and dental examinations, said Dr. Donny Shiu, vision program chief, and Dana Durham, dental division chief.
They also pointed out that eye and oral health can provide early warning signs for major health problems like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Medi-Cal beneficiaries can get a routine eye exam free of charge once every 24 months. In this eye exam, the care practitioner screens for common conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and irregular eye pressure. “The most significant step that happened recently is the restoration of adults’ eyeglasses benefits,” Shiu said. “All you have to do is ask, and they (corrective eyeglasses) will be provided to you.” Individuals who cannot wear eyeglasses can get alternative corrective vision aids, like contact lenses.
Medi-Cal beneficiaries can access these services by finding a vision care provider directly through the managed care plan they are enrolled in. No referral is required.
Similarly, Medi-Cal offers dental check-ups, cleanings, and diagnostic services like X-rays. Also, procedures like cavity fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures, and treatments for tooth infections are all covered. Durham clarified that though dental care can be expensive even with market insurance coverage, Medi-Cal members pay no co-pay or deductibles for these procedures.
“Medi-Cal members should never be paying for dental care,” she said. “If it’s medically necessary, it will be a Medi-Cal benefit.”
Members can access dental care services through the Find-A-Dentist provider directory available on the Medi-Cal website.
Currently, all income-eligible Medi-Cal members are enrolled in dental care benefits. However, Durham warned that starting in July 2026, some members over the age of 19 years will have their dental benefits curtailed because of recent state policy changes.
These include undocumented immigrants, lawful permanent residents who have held a green card for less than five years, and individuals who are Permanently Residing Under Color Of Law (PRUCOL). Such individuals will only have coverage for emergency dental care after the curtailment. However, pregnant individuals and those under 19 years of age will continue to receive full-scope dental coverage regardless of immigration status.