State RegulationsCA specific✓ Verified · outline & fact-checked · Sep 2026Difficulty 1/5
In California, children under age 19 are eligible for Medi-Cal when their family's household income is at or below which level?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Under California's MAGI-based Medi-Cal rules, children under age 19 qualify for Medi-Cal when household income is up to 266% of the federal poverty level. This is a higher income threshold than the 138% FPL limit used for most adults aged 19-64, reflecting the state's decision to cover children more broadly, including many children whose parents earn too much for adult coverage. The 266% figure is a distinctive California number and is one of the most commonly tested Medi-Cal eligibility facts, along with the adult 138% FPL standard.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) 138% FPL is the Medi-Cal income threshold for adults aged 19-64, not for children under 19.
- C) 400% FPL is the upper income limit for premium tax credit eligibility, not the Medi-Cal children's threshold.
- D) 100% FPL understates the California children's threshold, which is far more generous at 266% FPL.
Memory hook
Kids get more: 266% FPL for children under 19, while adults must fit under 138%.