Celia Valdez explained the expanded Medi-Cal changes coming with the Affordable Care Act (Photo by Charlie Magovern/Neon Tommy)

Celia Valdez, director of outreach and education for Maternal and Child Health Access, explained how adults older the age of 21 and without children will qualify for Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance assistance program starting in 2014. 

SEE ALSO | Shutdown May End Welfare For 9 Million Americans

She also warned that consumers need to be thorough both in evaluating what services they are eligible for and in utilizing the services. 

“These are the things that are supposed to happen, but they don’t always happen that way,” said Valdez. 

Currently, most childless adults who are on Medi-Cal become ineligible at 21 if they don’t have a “link” to Medi-Cal such as a disability or pregnancy; but this will change when the ACA kicks in Jan. 1.

On that day, anyone in this category who makes anywhere below 138 percent of the federal poverty line will become eligible for the same benefits that many Americans already receive. 

For example, Valdez said that a single male who makes $22,000 per year will soon be able to use Medi-Cal assistance to purchase insurance for as little as $56 per month.

For some higher-level plans, the discount is nearly 50 percent off the normal premium.

READ MORE | check out the rest of Neon Tommy's healthcare coverage.

Contact Staff Reporter Charlie Magovern here.