Free and Low-Cost Medi-Cal Services in Alameda & Contra Costa
From Doctors and Dentists to Vans and Vet Care
Save Hours of Phone Calls
A guide to free, low-cost or subsidized services for people 55+ in west Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, some hours of service may change frequently, call ahead or visit websites.
Apply for Medi-Cal and Medicare
For any county in California:
You may apply for Medi-Cal online at www.mybenefitscalwin.org. You can complete the application in steps, instead of all at one time. Be patient, there are many fields to complete.
You may apply for Medicare at the federal website https://www.medicare.gov.
Alameda County
Get help applying to Medicare and learning about your options from HICAP. Find a full list of locations and dates here: HICAP in Alameda County.
Visit The Medi-Cal Center at 8477 Enterprise Way, Oakland and get an Application and Instructions booklet. The office is open Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 12:00 noon, and then from 1:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. You may call the office at 510.777.2300, but wait times can be long.
Or visit the Social Security office at 360 22nd Street, #400, Oakland, between 9 am and 4 p.m, except closes 12:00 noon on Wednesdays.
Contra Costa County
Learn how to apply for Medicare and make good choices for you at monthly classes from HICAP. Find the schedule for Richmond Annex and other locations at HICAP Contra Costa County (medicare class).
You can get an Medi-Cal Application and Instructions booklet at 1305 Macdonald Avenue in Richmond, or 151 Linus Pauling Drive in Hercules. You may call the office at 800.709.8348. Call volumes are very high, and wait times can be long. Have your social security number at hand.
There is a Social Security office at 1111 Civic Drive, #180, Walnut Creek, open 9 am to 4pm except closes 12:00 noon on Wednesdays.
Case Management
Alameda Senior Connection
Help with health, housing, in-home support, food and more. Call 510.747.7506.
Center for Elders’ Independence
Case management for participants enrolled in our Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. Also provides smooth transitions for participants going in to, or coming home from a hospital or rehabilitation facility, and home nursing care. Call 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org.
Home and Community-Based Waiver Program for disabled adults in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties is provided by the Center for Elders’ Independence. Call 510.318.7375 and download an application at The Home and Community Based Services Waiver Program in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Public Health Nursing
Comprehensive case management from Contra Costa County Health Services.
Call 925.313.6924 or visit Public Health Nursing from the Contra Costa Health Plan.
Dentists, Dentures and Dental Services
Asian Health Services
Dental care to Medi-Cal and uninsured people, in 14 Asian languages. Provides general dentistry, oral surgery, artificial teeth, and gum treatments. You must enroll in Asian Health Services’ health plan to receive treatment. Call 510.986.6888.
Center for Elders’ Independence
Full dental services and transportation to appointments. Dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, periodontics, artificial teeth, crowns, dental surgery and all medically required treatments and medicines. In Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Exclusively for enrolled participants. Call 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org.
Contra Costa Health Services
Dental services are available through Denti-Cal. For information, visit this page at Dental Services at Contra Costa Health Plan or call 800.322.6384.
Medi-Cal Dental
To apply for “Denti-Cal” benefits, and find an eligible dentist in your community, visit Denti-Cal Application Information.
Native American Health Services
Provides service to all, without tribal or ethnic requirements. Oakland and Richmond. Call 510.535.4400 to ask about eligibility and sliding-scale fees and co-pays. Visit Native Health Services
Exercise Centers and Classes
[Closed during July 2020 and until further notice]
East Oakland Sports Center
Exercise center with pool. 9161 Edes Avenue, Oakland. Call 510.615.5838 or visit East Oakland Sports Center
Center for Elders’ Independence
Senior gyms staffed with physical therapists. Transportation provided to their 4 senior gyms in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Exclusively for enrolled participants. Call 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org.
Senior Centers in Contra Costa County
Call 800.510.2020 or 925.229.8434 and the friendly service will locate an exercise class that interests you at a nearby community or senior center.
Senior Centers in Alameda County
Contact the information & assistance lines at Eden Information & Assistance to find fitness classes in your neighborhood; dial 211.
To find a fall-reduction class, call DayBreak at 510.834.8314.
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Eye Doctors, Ophthalmologists
LightHouse of the East Bay
Blind and low vision skills training. 3075 Adeline, Suite 110, Berkeley. Call 510.845.8700 or visit Lighthouse of San Francisco and East Bay.
University of California, Berkeley
School of Optometry
Provides eye exams, eye glasses and low vision medical eye care. On campus at 200 Minor Hall. Call 510.642.2020 or, for low vision call 510.642.5726. Visit Cal Berkeley Eye Care for Elderly, Medi-Cal..
Lions Center for the Blind
Low vision exams, payment assistance available. 2114 Broadway, Oakland. Call 510.450.1580
Center for Elders’ Independence
Complete eye care including corrective lenses, optometrists, opthamologists, and cataract and eye surgery. Therapies for low-vision and blind persons. No out-of-pocket costs, exclusively for participants enrolled in its Program of All-inclusive Care. Call 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org.
Home Care, In-Home Medical Care
Center for Elders’ Independence
Certified Nursing Assistants support people who need help to live safely at home. Home care aides coordinate with the care plans of doctors, nurses and therapists.
Aides also help with daily routines, home cleaning and safety.
Exclusively for enrolled participants with medical needs. Call 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org.
In-Home Support Services
Non-medical companions for eligible blind, disabled or frail elders.
Contra Costa, apply by calling 510.231.8204 or visiting In Home Supportive Services [IHSS] in Contra Costa County. Apply by calling 510.577.1900 or visiting IHSS - In Home Supportive Services - in Alameda County
Home Health Care
Doctor’s orders are needed to start home health medical services, to care for wounds, injections, physical therapy and serious illnesses. In Contra Costa County, call 800.510.2020. In Alameda County, call Alameda County, call the Area Agency on Aging, 510.577.3530.
Information & Assistance Lines
Information and Assistance Lines are answered by social workers who know the ins and outs of each county’s services. Call to find the right service for you.
Alameda County:
DayBreak Centers helps adults connect with all the services they need. DayBreak is “like having a best friend” in aging services. Call 510.834.8314 and speak to one of the compassionate, talented and persistent “DayBreakers.”
Dial 211 to connect with with Eden’s Information and Assistance Line. 211 is available 24 hours, and connects with hundreds of services. Help is available in 200 languages. Call 211 in Alameda County.
Contra Costa County:
Anyone may call the Information & Assistance helpline to speak with knowledgeable social workers to get information, referrals to other services, and assistance with solving problems. If you are calling from a landline phone, call toll free 800.510.2020. From your cell phone, or from outside Contra Costa county, call 925. 229.8434.
Medical Care, Doctors, Specialists
Alameda Alliance for Health
Medi-Cal enrollees can receive regular exams, specialist care, immunizations, hospital services and emergency care. AAH has a large network of doctors, health centers and pharmacies, and helps people in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. Call 510.747.4567 to enroll.
Asian Health Services
Offering medical, dental and mental health service in 14 Asian languages, regardless of insurance status. Call 510.986.6880.
Center for Elders’ Independence
Specialists in the care of older adults with multiple medical conditions. “Everything-included” medical care provided under its Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. Transportation provided. Exclusively for pre-enrolled participants. Visit Elders.org or call: 844.319.1150.
1497 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley
Eastmont Mall at 7200 Bancroft Avenue, Suite 188, Oakland
1850 Fairway Drive, San Leandro
3905 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante
La Clinica
La Clinica serves all patients regardless of ability to pay, on a sliding scale basis. La Clinica has a Senior Health Care Delivery Initiative to ensure coordinated, proactive, and senior-friendly services across all their sites. Many locations in Alameda County and northern Contra Costa county. Call 510.535.4000. Visit La Clinica.
LifeLong Medical Care
Primary health care for seniors. Chronic disease screenings. Referrals to specialists. LifeLong Medical has many locations in the East Bay. Call: 510.981.4100.
Native American Health Services
Provides service to all, without tribal or ethnic requirements. Medical, diabetes, obesity, substance abuse, HIV, dental, behavioral, and additional services. In Oakland and Richmond. Call 510.535.4400 to ask about eligibility and sliding-scale fees and co-pays. Visit NativeHealth.org
North Richmond Center for Health
Part of the Contra Costa Health Plan. 1501 Fred Jackson Way (3rd St), Richmond. Call 877.905.4545. Visit this page at CCHealth.org.
West County Health Center
Serving the Richmond community and nearby areas, in San Pablo. Call 877.905.4545. Provides routine and preventive health care service focusing on the whole person. Visit this page at CCHealth.org.
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Nutrition, Meal Delivery, Lunches
Meals on Wheels
Maintain your independence at home with nutritious meals and friendly visits from Meals on Wheels.
Delivers hot, nutritious meals primarily to people 60+ who are no longer cooking or shopping themselves. You’ll benefit from daily health and wellness checks too.
Here are numbers to call in the East Bay:
- Richmond, El Sobrante, San Pablo, El Cerrito, call 925.937.8607
- Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, Kensington, call 510.981.5250
- Oakland, Piedmont, Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, 510.582.1263
- Alameda, 510.865.6131
- Other areas, dial 211 from anywhere in Alameda or Contra Costa counties
Meals4u
Catered, farm-fresh meals for people recovering from illness or surgery, in rehabilitation or who need assistance. Delicious frozen meals are delivered weekly. A home care aide may visit daily to reheat the meals.
Available to people enrolled in the healthcare plan Center for Elders’ Independence, who have a medical need for delivered meals. To find out if you qualify for our comprehensive healthcare plan, call 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org.
Spectrum Senior Nutrition Program
Fast and healthy meals at 25 locations in Alameda County. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. No one turned away for lack of funds. $3.75 donation suggested for those who can afford it. Call 510.881.0300 x232
Togetherness, Making New Friends, Socializing
Center for Elders’ Independence
Go to social centers in the East Bay, and get van pick ups and rides home. Outings to ball games and picnics too. Exclusively for participants in the healthcare plan at Center for Elders’ Independence. Call 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org.
Friendly Visitors, Contra Costa
Friendly Visitors are dependable, caring, and have a positive, happy outlook. Visitors are screened and matched with seniors who share similar interests. Visit this page at WomensCommission.com
Lavender Seniors of the East Bay
Call 510.736.5824 to connect with LGBTQ older adults for health, happiness and pride. Website is lavenderseniors.org. Offices at 4123 Broadway, Suite 818, Oakland.
Senior Center Without Walls
A telephone and internet based way to connect with other people for classes, support groups and learning. Based in San Francisco, this is a national program. Call 877.797.7299 or visit SeniorCenterWithoutWalls.org.
Senior Companion Program, Oakland
Matches volunteers with Oakland residents, and helps coordinate community resources, arrange transportation and assist with paperwork. Call 510.238.3175 and leave a message (the phone line will say it is the “Taxi up and Go” program.)
Senior Peer Counselors, Contra Costa
Senior Peer Counselors support people who are melancholy, living alone or feeling isolated. Available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Visit this page or call Joyce Martin (English) at 925.521.5636 or Abraham Aviles-Scott (Spanish) at 925.521.5653.
Senior Resources, Alameda County
Monthly lunches at St. Paul’s Church in Oakland, call 510.444.0243
Well Connected
Telephone and online program offering classes, conversation, interest groups and support. Use from the comfort of your home. Get started by calling 877.797.7299
Pet Care
Want help caring for a pet with an emergency? Or want a helping hand in paying for food and care?
Our local human societies have collected lists of low-cost and affordably-priced veterinarians in their counties.
Residents of Alameda or Contra Costa counties can visit the East Bay SPCA’s Pet Food Pantry once a month to receive supplemental food for their dogs and cats. Call Anya Pamplona at 510.563.4627 or visit EastBaySPCA.org
Contra Costa Humane Society
Visit the listings on cchumane.org, or call 925.279.2247 between 10 am and 5 pm.
Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) operates FoodShare for Contra Costa County residents. Visit arf.net/animal-programs/foodshare. Call 925.256.1273 ext. 463.
AniMeals Pet Food Bank helps financially challenged people to feed their pets. For information, visit cchumane.org/programs/animeals.
Oakland Animal Services
Start at the website for Oakland Animal Services to find low-cost veterinary care. Visit OaklandAnimalServices.org
Meals-On-Wheels for Animals provides food and animal care items for companion animals of qualifying home-bound seniors. It is provided through the Ohlone Humane Society in Fremont. For more information, call 510. 792.4587 or visit http://www.tinyurl.com/mwbwbh5.
Transportation and Rides
Alameda County Hospital Discharge Transportation
Call 510.208.7467
Center for Elders’ Independence
Free transportation to and from neighborhood social centers, doctors appointments and pre-scheduled outings. Exclusively for members of its healthcare plan. Contact 844.344.1150 or visit Elders.org
Paratransit and Subsidized Taxi Information
Free to $10.00 rides. Requires a completed application. Call:
Main Number: 510.287.5000
Alameda Paratransit 510.747.7513
Albany 510.524.9122
Berkeley 510.981.7269
El Cerrito 510.559.7677
Emeryville 510.596.3739
Hayward 510.583.4230
Oakland 510.238.3036
Richmond 510.307.8026
San Leandro 510.577.7985
San Pablo 510.215.3090
Free and Cheap ($1.00 to $5.00) Events for Seniors
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