Lower or Eliminate Your Medi-Cal Share of Cost

Which Best Describes Your Situation?

• I already know my monthly Share of Cost and the amount of premium I need to get it to Zero.
  • Scroll down for plans on  dental, vision and Medi Gap – premiums to lower your share of cost to Zero.
• I do not know the correct Share of cost or premium needed
  • Use our  Medi-Cal Share of Cost Calculator  as a preliminary estimate. Compare the result with your county Notice of Action or the amount supplied by your county worker.
• I need more information on what share of cost is, why or if buying insurance is a real legitimate way to lower share of cost.
  • Aged & Disabled and Medically Needy Medi-Cal Programs  Canhr 7/20/2026
  • How to eliminate the Medi-Cal Share of Cost to get full Medi-Cal coverage  Center for Health Care Rights SHIP 4/2025
  • How Can I Avoid a Medi-Cal Share of Cost?  You Tube Attorney Video
• Are You a  Family Member or IHSS Caregiver?
  • Often, the person researching Medi-Cal Share of Cost is not the person receiving care—it is a **son, daughter, other family member, or IHSS caregiver** trying to help.

  • If the person you care for has a Medi-Cal Share of Cost, that amount can also affect **how you are paid for IHSS services**. The recipient may be responsible for paying part of your authorized IHSS wages directly before the State pays the balance.

  • If an allowable health, dental, or other insurance premium is reported to Medi-Cal and **Medi-Cal reduces or eliminates the Share of Cost**, the practical result can be important for the caregiver: instead of having to collect that Share of Cost portion from the person you care for, **the State can pay the authorized IHSS wages that are no longer subject to the Share of Cost.**

  • So reducing a Share of Cost may help **both the person receiving care and the person providing it**.

 Step 2 — Select the Monthly Premium Shown by the Calculator

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How much insurance premium do you need to reduce your Share of Cost to $0?

• $1–$84 per month:
  Get quotes and enroll   dental or vision plan
  .
• $85–$425 per month:  Complete the    AmFirst Maximum Care Application  after checking with Steve.  AmFirst offers premium choices within from $85 to $425
  • Applications are often processed quickly, and proof of coverage can usually be provided within 24 hours after approval.  Then you can easily upload (instructions)  to BenefitsCal.com
  • Just complete the one page  application and email [email protected]  to us.
• $426–$600 per month:
  • A combination of  the AmFirst Maximum Care application
  • and another qualifying  dental or vision premium
• $601 or more:  The situation should be reviewed individually before applying.   Send us the information below
• • Medi-Gap premiums
  • The monthly Share of Cost shown by your county.
  • Your county and ZIP code.
  • Whether you have Medicare Parts A and B and the premium amounts
  • Any premiums you already pay for Medicare Part B, Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medi-Gap, dental or vision.
  • Whether the problem concerns future months or previous months.
  • Your Notice of Action from the county
  • Email Steve Your Share of Cost Information
    • Our email is encrypted by PauBox

After Enrollment:

Send Proof to the County

After approved enrollment, the county may request a proof-of-coverage letter, premium invoice, effective date and evidence that the premium was paid. Keep copies of everything submitted and follow up with your county worker.

See the complete  proof and BenefitsCal document-upload instructions
.

Sample Proof of Dental Insurance for BenefitsCal

• See Proof and BenefitsCal Upload Instructions
  
• View the AmFirst Application and Current Premium Choices

Share of Cost Testimonials

• “Medi-Cal reviewed my Mom’s case and eliminated her Share of Cost effective February 1. My family is very grateful that this issue was resolved in a very timely manner.” — Don V.
• “Eliminating her Share of Cost will allow her to stay living at our home longer, so it’s very wonderful.” — Mary
• “You are a wealth of knowledge, and I am so grateful to connect with you.” — Carie C.

• See additional  Share of Cost comments and testimonials.
• See  general client testimonials
  
• See this  Reddit discussion about Share of Cost

Steve Shorr has specialized in California health insurance since 1975. There is no separate charge for assistance with an insurance application. Compensation is paid by the insurance company when applicable. Steve is an insurance agent, not a county eligibility worker, attorney or tax adviser.

• Contact, Zoom, Disclosures and License Information
  
• 17 Reasons to Use Steve Shorr Insurance
  
• Biography of Steve Shorr

References & Citations 

• California Medi-Cal rules provide for the deduction of health-insurance premiums in applicable Medically Needy income calculations.
  • See California Code of Regulations, Title 22, §50555.2
    
  • See the  DHCS Non-MAGI Medi-Cal Guide
  • Center for Health Care Rights Plain English How to Eliminated Share of Cost 
  • CANHR Fact Sheet on Share of Cost
  • Your county eligibility worker makes the final determination for your individual case.