Health insurance is an important means of facilitating access to necessary health care and protecting individuals and families from high health care costs. Most, but not all, adults age 65 and older and some younger people with certain disabilities are eligible for the federal health insurance program known as Medicare. Some low-income older adults and adults with disabilities may also qualify for Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, while others may have health insurance through a job or that they purchase on their own. Yet a significant number of older adults, including adults who are too young to qualify for Medicare or who do not otherwise meet Medicare or Medi-Cal eligibility requirements, may remain uninsured.

In addition to health insurance coverage expansions California made pursuant to the Affordable Care Act in 2014, California has recently adopted two specific policies to expand older adults’ access to health insurance through Medi-Cal. Beginning May 1, 2022, California provides full scope Medi-Cal benefits to low-income adults age 50 and older who are otherwise eligible, regardless of immigration status. As of October 2022, more than 300,000 adults age 50 and older had gained full scope Medi-Cal benefits as a result of this expansion. Beginning July 1, 2022, California also increased the asset limit for Medi-Cal. The asset limit, as the name implies, limits the assets (personal property and resources, like bank account balances) that certain groups – including people age 65 and older and people with disabilities – can own and still qualify for Medi-Cal. The increased asset limits allow a larger number of applicants to become eligible for Medi-Cal benefits.

This indicator measures the percent of adults age 60 or older who are uninsured. Reducing uninsurance among older adults can improve their access to care and financial security. Check out the Health Reimagined Goal Page to explore dynamic visualizations and view more detailed data related to this topic.

This indicator is currently under construction - to learn more about our data sources and methodologies, please see the Data Dashboard for Aging - About the Data Technical Guide.

• Older Adult Expansion (DHCS)
• Eligible Older Adult Expansion Individuals Enrolled in Medi-Cal (DHCS)
• Asset Limit Changes for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal (DHCS)
• Ways to Apply for Medi-Cal (DHCS)
• The Early Retiree’s Guide to Health Insurance (Covered California)
• Medicare (CMS)