Medi-Cal Renewals Available in Your Benefits Now Website

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

The California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal) is California’s Medicaid Program, offering free or low-cost health coverage to children and adults with limited income and resources. State regulations for Medi-Cal require that beneficiaries be re-evaluated for continuing Medi-Cal benefits at least once during a 12-month period. For most Medi-Cal beneficiaries, the Annual Renewal (RE) process includes completing a paper form, and providing verification documents, as needed, to the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to reestablish their Medi-Cal eligibility. DPSS continually seeks innovative ways of offering services to its customers while expanding the use of online services. As such, DPSS created improvements to its existing “Your Benefits Now” (YBN) online portal to offer Medi-Cal beneficiaries the choice to complete and submit their annual RE online, instead of mailing it or dropping it off at a DPSS office. The ability to upload verification documents is an integrated feature that provides an efficient, faster way for customers to submit Res and for the Department to process REs. The online RE process not only benefits L.A. County residents, but the Department as well; it reduces the mail DPSS receives and the time it takes to process it.