MEDI-CAL FOR TEENS
If you are between 12 and 21 years old and a citizen or legal resident, you can apply for “Minor Consent Services” to get free and confidential medical treatment without parental consent related to:
• Drug or alcohol abuse treatment or counseling (except methadone treatment)
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pregnancy and abortion
• Family planning
• Outpatient mental health (not overnight in a hospital)
• Sexual abuse
Your parents won’t need to give information about their income or resources or pay toward the medical services, unless you want Medi-Cal for services other than those listed above. DHA won’t tell your parents or send Medi-Cal mailings to your home without your permission.
These services can be used by minors even if they already have Medi-Cal or any other health program.
To apply, fill out the regular Medi-Cal application and another short form for Minor Consent Services at DHA or with a DHA Eligibility Worker at the site where you are receiving care.
You will have to fill out a new short form each month you need treatment, except for mental health services. For that, you need a letter from a mental health professional explaining that you meet certain conditions for getting mental health services and how long you will need treatment.
You will still have to complete the short form each month to update your eligibility.
If you already get Medi-Cal through your parents’ case, you may already have a plastic Medi-Cal card. But don’t use the plastic card for Minor Consent services. You will be sent a temporary card to use instead.