If you are pregnant

If I am pregnant, and the baby will not have insurance once born, can I apply for Healthy Families before the baby is born?

Yes, you can apply for insurance up to three months before a baby is born. With your application, you will need to send a copy of a pregnancy certificate that shows the estimated date of delivery. If the application is complete and you are eligible, you will be notified in writing within 10 days of receiving your complete application.

What do I have to do once my baby is born?

Within 30 days of the baby’s birth, you must send one of the following:

• A copy of a certificate of birth provided by the hospital or other health care facility; or
• A signed statement by the health practitioner who delivered the baby; or
• An equivalent document.

If within 30 days of the baby’s estimated date of birth, Healthy Families does not receive proof of birth, your case will be closed. You will need to reapply and provide all necessary documentation with a new application.

Insurance coverage for the baby will begin no sooner than 13 days from the date the proof of baby’s birth is received.

If my child’s Medi-Cal coverage is ending, how soon can I apply for Healthy Families?

You can apply for Healthy Families up to three months in advance if one of the following is going to happen:

• A child turns one year old and will lose no-cost Medi-Cal (Healthy Families coverage begins the first of the month after the child’s first birthday); or
• A child turns six years old and will lose no-cost Medi-Cal (Healthy Families coverage begins the first of the month after the child’s sixth birthday); or
• A child’s no-cost Medi-Cal ends.

Please submit your most current Notice of Action from Medi-Cal.

If you have questions, call 1-800-880-5305, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free.

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