California caregiver benefits
Last checked: May 18, 2026
Adult day care can give a loved one a safe place to go during the day. It can also help a family caregiver keep working, go to appointments, or get a break.
In California, payment may come through Medi-Cal, a Medi-Cal managed care plan, PACE, VA health care, local aging programs, long-term care insurance, or private pay. The right first call depends on the person’s coverage, county, age, and care needs.
Quick answer
California does not have one adult day care payment program for every family. The main public route is Medi-Cal, called Medicaid in California, through Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS), PACE, MSSP, or another long-term care route.
Veterans may have a VA adult day health care or respite route. Families who do not qualify for public coverage should still call the local Area Agency on Aging, because some local respite or caregiver support funds may help.
Start here
- If your loved one has Medi-Cal: call the Medi-Cal managed care plan and ask for the long-term services and supports unit. Ask about “CBAS adult day health care,” “PACE,” and “MSSP.”
- If your loved one does not have Medi-Cal, or you are not sure: use the California Department of Aging’s Find Services in My County page and ask the local Area Agency on Aging about adult day services, respite, and caregiver support.
- If your loved one is a Veteran: ask the VA primary care team, VA social worker, or VA Caregiver Support Coordinator about Adult Day Health Care and respite.
California rules can vary
Rules can change. Counties, Medi-Cal managed care plans, waiver agencies, PACE plans, and local aging offices may use different names. Always confirm the rule with the official California agency, health plan, VA office, or local program before you make a care plan.
Who may pay for adult day care in California
Adult day care is daytime care outside the home. In California, the wording matters.
Adult Day Programs are usually non-medical programs. The California Department of Social Services says adult day programs provide non-medical care and supervision to adults who need personal services, supervision, or help with daily living in a day setting.
Adult Day Health Care Centers are health-based day programs. The California Department of Public Health says an adult day health center must be licensed in California. These centers provide organized day programs with therapeutic, social, and skilled nursing health activities.
Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) is the Medi-Cal adult day health route for many eligible people. CBAS is a day health program for older adults and adults with chronic medical, cognitive, behavioral health, or disability needs who may be at risk of needing institutional care.
Adult day care can help a caregiver keep a job because the loved one has a supervised place to go during work hours. It may also reduce unsafe time alone at home.
| Program or route | Who it may help | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Medi-Cal Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) | Eligible Medi-Cal members who need adult day health services because of medical, cognitive, behavioral health, or disability needs | Call the Medi-Cal managed care plan and ask for CBAS or adult day health care |
| PACE | People age 55 or older who live in a PACE service area, need nursing-home level care, and can live safely in the community with PACE support | Check California PACE plans by county and ZIP code, then call the PACE plan |
| Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) | Some Medi-Cal members age 60 or older who are certified or certifiable for skilled nursing facility care | Ask the Medi-Cal plan, county aging office, or local MSSP site about referral |
| VA Adult Day Health Care or VA respite | Veterans who need help with daily activities, are isolated, or whose caregiver needs support | Ask the VA primary care team, VA social worker, or VA Caregiver Support Coordinator |
| Area Agency on Aging caregiver support | Caregivers who need respite, adult day service referrals, or help finding local programs | Use California’s Find Services in My County page |
| Private pay or long-term care insurance | Families who do not qualify for public payment or need more days than a program covers | Ask each adult day program for a written fee sheet and check any long-term care policy |
Original Medicare usually does not pay for most long-term care in the community. Medicare’s PACE page is different because PACE is a special Medicare and Medicaid program for people who meet PACE rules.
California Paid Family Leave may help a working caregiver replace part of lost wages while caring for a seriously ill family member. It does not pay an adult day care bill. It may help you take time off to set up care, attend assessments, or handle a short care crisis. See our related guide: Can I get paid to be a caregiver?
Medicaid and waiver coverage
In California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal. For adult day care, the most important Medi-Cal route is usually CBAS.
CBAS: Medi-Cal adult day health care
CBAS stands for Community-Based Adult Services. It replaced the older Medi-Cal Adult Day Health Care benefit. California says CBAS is a Medi-Cal managed care benefit for eligible Medi-Cal members enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care.
CBAS may include an assessment, nursing services, therapies, mental health services, therapeutic activities, social services, personal care, a meal, nutrition counseling, and transportation to and from the person’s home and the CBAS center.
Do not assume every adult day center is a CBAS center. Ask the center and the health plan if the center is approved for CBAS and whether it is in the plan network.
PACE
PACE means Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It can include adult day primary care, meals or special diet needs, therapies, personal care, social services, and transportation to and from the PACE center and medical appointments.
PACE is not in every ZIP code. California has a state list of PACE plans and service areas. Ask the PACE plan how enrollment would affect the doctors, specialists, and services your loved one uses now.
MSSP
MSSP means Multipurpose Senior Services Program. California says MSSP can include care management, adult day care, respite, transportation, meal services, and other supports.
MSSP is for some Medi-Cal members age 60 or older who meet program rules. Ask about MSSP if your loved one has high care needs and is at risk of nursing facility care.
HCBA waiver
The Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver is a Medi-Cal waiver for people with high medical or long-term care needs. California says HCBA care management teams coordinate waiver services, State Plan services, and other long-term services and supports in the community.
Do not assume HCBA will pay for adult day care. Ask the HCBA waiver agency or care management team whether any day program can be part of the care plan in your county.
IHSS is different
IHSS means In-Home Supportive Services. It helps eligible people get care at home. It is not the same as adult day care.
If your loved one has IHSS and still cannot be safe while you work, ask the county IHSS office for a reassessment and ask the Medi-Cal plan about CBAS or other day support. If you are trying to understand family caregiver payment routes, see Can I get paid as a caregiver quiz.
Phone script for Medi-Cal plan
“Hi, I care for my [mother/father/spouse/relative]. They have Medi-Cal through your plan. They cannot be safely alone during the day, and I need to keep working. I am asking for an assessment for Community-Based Adult Services, also called CBAS adult day health care. I also want to know if PACE, MSSP, or another long-term services and supports option is available in our county.”
Documents to gather before the Medi-Cal call
- Medi-Cal card and managed care plan card
- Medicare card, if they also have Medicare
- Doctor names and clinic phone numbers
- Diagnosis list, including dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s, diabetes, heart disease, mental health conditions, or disability
- Medication list
- Recent hospital, emergency room, rehab, or nursing facility papers
- Notes on help needed with bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, walking, transfers, medicines, and supervision
- Any falls, wandering, leaving the stove on, missed medicines, or unsafe time alone
- Your work schedule or the hours when no safe caregiver is available
- Any denial letter or notice from a plan or program
For more background on home and community care routes, read Medicaid HCBS waivers explained. If Medi-Cal eligibility is the problem, these may also help: Medicaid spend-down and Medicaid look-back period.
VA adult day health care
The VA has an Adult Day Health Care program for some Veterans. VA says it is a program Veterans can go to during the day for social activities, peer support, companionship, and recreation. It is for Veterans who need help with daily activities, are isolated, or whose caregiver is under strain.
VA says adult day health care can include health services from nurses, therapists, social workers, and others. It may be provided at VA medical centers, State Veterans Homes, or community organizations.
VA respite may also help. VA says home respite can pay for a person to come to the Veteran’s home or for the Veteran to go to an adult day care program while the family caregiver takes a break or runs errands. Services may vary by location.
Phone script for VA
“I care for a Veteran who needs help during the day. I want to ask about Adult Day Health Care, respite, and any home and community-based services through VA. Can you connect me with the VA social worker or Caregiver Support Coordinator?”
If the Veteran may need cash pension help with care costs, read VA Aid and Attendance. Aid and Attendance is not the same as VA adult day health care, but it may help some eligible Veterans or surviving spouses with care costs.
Dementia day programs
Some adult day programs serve people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. California also describes Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers, called ADCRCs, as specialized programs within either an Adult Day Program or Adult Day Health Care setting.
California says ADCRCs address psychosocial, mental, functional, and cognitive needs of people with dementia while also giving caregiver support and respite.
Ask whether a program can safely handle wandering, exit-seeking, agitation, toileting help, medicine reminders, and meals. Ask what happens if the person refuses care or becomes upset.
Also ask the local Caregiver Resource Center. California’s Caregiver Resource Centers serve caregivers in all 58 counties and often focus on caregivers helping adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other long-term conditions.
Phone script for dementia day care
“My loved one has memory problems and cannot be alone safely. I need an adult day program that can handle dementia care. Do you have dementia-trained staff, secure outdoor or indoor space, help with toileting, and a plan for wandering or agitation? Do you accept Medi-Cal CBAS, VA, local respite funds, or private pay?”
Transportation and meals
Transportation can decide whether adult day care is real help or just another task. Ask about it early.
California’s CBAS information says CBAS services include a meal, nutrition counseling, and transportation to and from the participant’s home and the CBAS center. Medicare’s PACE page also lists transportation to and from the PACE center and medical appointments, and adult day primary care that can include meals or special diet needs.
Social adult day programs may have different meal and ride rules. Some may include meals. Some may charge extra. Some may need the family to drop off and pick up the person.
Ask these transportation questions
- Is transportation included in the program cost or benefit?
- Who drives the person?
- Can the driver help the person from the door to the vehicle?
- Can the vehicle handle a wheelchair, walker, or oxygen?
- What happens if the person refuses to get in the vehicle?
- What time is pickup and drop-off?
- Who do I call if the ride is late?
How to find a program
Start with the route that matches the person’s coverage.
Step 1: Check coverage first
If the person has Medi-Cal, call the Medi-Cal plan. Ask for CBAS, PACE, MSSP, or long-term services and supports. If the person has Medicare only, ask HICAP about Medicare Advantage, PACE, long-term care insurance, and local options. If the person is a Veteran, call VA.
Step 2: Find local adult day options
Use the California Department of Aging’s county lookup to find the local Area Agency on Aging. Ask for adult day services, caregiver respite, dementia day programs, and Caregiver Resource Center referrals.
Step 3: Check licensing and payment
For non-medical Adult Day Programs, use California Community Care Licensing facility search. For adult day health centers, check California Department of Public Health licensing information and ask whether the center is a CBAS provider.
Step 4: Ask for an assessment
A payment route often needs an assessment. Tell the plan or program about safety risks, medical needs, memory problems, and why the person cannot be alone during the day.
Step 5: Get the answer in writing
If a plan or agency says no, ask for the reason in writing. Ask what rule they used and what appeal or grievance rights you have.
Who to call first in California
Has Medi-Cal managed care? Call the plan first and ask for long-term services and supports or CBAS.
No Medi-Cal or not sure? Call the local Area Agency on Aging through California’s county lookup.
Has Medicare and questions about insurance? Ask HICAP for free Medicare and long-term care insurance counseling.
Veteran? Ask the VA primary care team for a social worker or Caregiver Support Coordinator.
For help planning costs, see care cost calculator. For phone help, use caregiver phone scripts. For papers and care notes, use caregiver checklists.
Questions to ask before enrolling
Ask these questions before you sign forms or set a start date.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Are you an Adult Day Program, Adult Day Health Care Center, CBAS center, PACE center, or another type of program? | The type of program affects licensing, services, and payment. |
| Do you accept Medi-Cal CBAS? Which Medi-Cal plans? | A center may not work with every plan. |
| Do you accept VA referrals or VA payment? | VA adult day health and respite vary by location. |
| Is transportation included? | Ride rules can make or break the plan. |
| Are meals included? Can you handle special diets? | Diabetes, swallowing problems, kidney diets, and allergies need planning. |
| Can staff help with toileting, transfers, walking, medicine reminders, or behavior changes? | Match the program to the real care need. |
| What days and hours are open? | Some programs do not cover a full workday. |
| What happens if the person is sick, refuses to attend, falls, or needs emergency care? | You need the safety plan before day one. |
| What will I owe each day, week, or month? | Ask for a written fee sheet. |
| If payment is denied, who helps with the appeal? | Do not wait until a denial arrives. |
Adult day care is one kind of respite. For more caregiver break options, see respite care for caregivers. If taxes are part of your care budget, see caregiver tax deductions.
Resumen en espanol
En California, el cuidado de adultos durante el dia puede ser pagado por Medi-Cal, PACE, MSSP, algunos servicios del VA, programas locales para cuidadores, seguro de cuidado a largo plazo, o pago privado.
Si su ser querido tiene Medi-Cal, llame primero al plan de salud y pregunte por “CBAS adult day health care” y “long-term services and supports.” Si no tiene Medi-Cal, llame a la Agencia Local sobre Envejecimiento usando la pagina “Find Services in My County” del California Department of Aging.
Common questions
Does Medi-Cal pay for adult day care in California?
Sometimes. The main Medi-Cal adult day health route is CBAS. Other Medi-Cal routes, such as PACE or MSSP, may also include adult day services for people who meet program rules. Ask the Medi-Cal managed care plan for an assessment.
Does Medicare pay for adult day care?
Original Medicare usually does not pay for most long-term care in the community. PACE is a special program that can cover adult day primary care and related services for people who meet PACE rules.
What is the difference between adult day health and social adult day care?
Adult day health care has health services and is licensed as an Adult Day Health Center. Social adult day care is usually non-medical supervision, activities, and help during the day. California also has dementia-focused day programs within some settings.
Can adult day care help me keep working?
It may. The California Department of Aging says adult day services often help working caregivers balance work and caregiving. The key is finding a program with hours, transportation, safety support, and payment that fit your real schedule.
Can I get paid while my loved one attends adult day care?
Adult day care payment and caregiver payment are different issues. A caregiver may have routes such as IHSS, VA programs, or California Paid Family Leave, but each has its own rules. Start with Can I get paid to be a caregiver? and the caregiver pay quiz.
Official sources used
- California Department of Aging: Adult Day Services Programs
- California Department of Aging: Community-Based Adult Services
- California Department of Aging: CBAS Providers
- California Department of Health Care Services: CBAS / Adult Day Health Care
- California Department of Health Care Services: Apply for Medi-Cal
- California Department of Health Care Services: Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory
- California Department of Health Care Services: File a Complaint / Appeal
- California Department of Health Care Services: HCBA Waiver
- California Department of Health Care Services: PACE
- California Department of Health Care Services: California PACE Plans
- California Department of Aging: Multipurpose Senior Services Program
- California Department of Social Services: Adult Day Programs
- California Department of Social Services: Facility Search
- California Department of Public Health: Adult Day Health Center Licensing
- California Department of Aging: Find Services in My County
- California Department of Aging: Family Caregiver Services
- California Department of Aging: Caregiver Resource Centers
- California Department of Aging: Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support
- Medicare.gov: Long-Term Care Coverage
- Medicare.gov: PACE
- VA.gov: Adult Day Health Care
- VA.gov: Respite Care
- VA Caregiver Support Program: General Caregiver Support
- California Employment Development Department: Paid Family Leave for Caregivers
About this guide
This guide was written for family caregivers who need a real first step. It focuses on payment routes, public programs, and who to call in California.
This is general information, not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. For legal or tax questions, talk with a qualified professional in your state. Program rules can change, and local agencies should confirm current rules for your county and plan.
