What is Medicaid/Medi-Cal?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover healthcare costs for people with limited income and resources. While the federal government sets basic rules, each state runs its own Medicaid program so eligibility, coverage, and program names can vary by state.
Many states manage their Medicaid programs through private insurance companies, so your Medicaid card might show a commercial brand like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or United Healthcare, even if it's technically Medicaid.
For example:
California Medicaid: Medi-Cal
Washington Medicaid: Apple Health
Oregon Medicaid: Oregon Health Authority
Colorado Medicaid: Health First Colorado
Why Circle Medical Cannot Accept Medicaid
We are not contracted with Medicaid. This is primarily because Medicaid is run by individual states, and we’re not contracted with those state programs. This means we’re unable to see patients who have Medicaid—even if they plan to pay out of pocket or plan to use another form of insurance to pay for their care.
Seeing a provider who isn’t in-network with Medicaid, even if you opt into self-pay or use another insurance, can also put your Medicaid coverage at risk. While one visit may not immediately impact your benefits, ongoing care with a non-contracted provider may result in Medicaid suspending or revoking your coverage, regardless of how you pay.
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference?
Medicare and Medicaid may sound similar, but they’re very different programs— and that difference matters when it comes to getting care. For one, on our platform, we are unable to accept Medicaid.
Medicare (Accepted)
Federal program
Eligibility is restricted to people 65 and older or younger individuals with certain disabilities or health conditions
Benefits and eligibility are consistent across all states
Medicaid (Unaccepted)
Joint state and federal program
Based on income (no age requirement for eligibility)
Benefits vary by state
People can qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are known as “dual eligible” or “Medi-Medi.”
We remain unable to treat these patients as we are not contracted with Medicaid.