In California, a child under age 19 qualifies for Medi-Cal when family income is at or below:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
California's Medi-Cal program uses MAGI-based eligibility with different income thresholds for different populations. Children under age 19 qualify at or below 266% of the federal poverty level, a higher threshold than the 138% FPL used for adults aged 19 to 64. The 266% figure is the children's standard and is a specific California exam number; the higher threshold reflects the policy goal of expanding coverage to children. Because the threshold is income-based under MAGI rules, a family with income above the adult cutoff may still obtain Medi-Cal for the child even when the parents are not eligible, which is a distinctive California coverage pattern.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) 100% FPL matches no standard MAGI threshold in California's Medi-Cal eligibility rules.
- C) 138% FPL is the adult Medi-Cal threshold for ages 19 to 64, not the children's standard.
- D) 400% FPL is the ceiling for premium tax credits (APTC) through Covered California, not a Medi-Cal income limit.
Memory hook
Kids ride higher on the Medi-Cal ladder: 266% for under-19s, 138% for adults. Children get the bigger rung.