I’m curious about how the whole medical system works here in California.
Currently, I’m on free medi-cal state care since I’m not working or earning an income after recently moving to California from another country. I’m a permanent resident.
I also have rheumatoid arthritis, which I’ve seen listed as a disability in job applications.
So here are my questions:
If I start working and earn $100k a year, do I still qualify for medi-cal because I have a disability?
Also, if I marry a US citizen who has a good job, will I lose my medi-cal eligibility because of their income?
I’d like to know how having rheumatoid arthritis impacts my medical options here, whether I’m working or married. What changes?
For your first question, unfortunately, you would likely earn too much to qualify for Medi-Cal, regardless of your disability status.
For your second question, once you’re married, your spouse’s income counts as part of the household. If their income is high, you may no longer qualify.
Your or your future spouse’s employer might offer a group insurance plan. My employer does this without any questions for full-time employees and their dependents. Even if you have a very rare condition, they still have to let you join the group plan—that’s how these work.
Also, companies can decide how strictly they define a dependent. My company allows long-term partners who live together to be listed as dependents, regardless of marital status. This helps avoid confusion for same-sex couples or others who couldn’t marry legally in the past.
Medicaid can be available in certain situations. Expanded Medicaid is for those with low or no income. It can also be granted for individuals with specific disabilities who cannot work because of them. You would need to meet Social Security’s definition of being disabled. Arthritis could qualify you depending on its severity. However, if you can work full time and earn $100k, it may be unlikely that you’d be considered disabled.
Once you get married, you’ll be part of a tax household of two, and your spouse’s income will influence your eligibility for Expanded Medicaid.
Disability needs to be formally recognized for insurance purposes. Many people might think they have a disability but are not classified as such under government programs.
It seems unusual for an employer to specifically ask about disabilities, as this could appear discriminatory.
As previously noted, MEDICAL refers to California’s version of Medicaid. If your income exceeds the Medicaid limit, you won’t qualify.
Once you’re married, both spouses’ incomes will be counted for Medicaid eligibility, but there is a higher cap for married individuals compared to single ones.
