Which barrier is commonly faced when accessing Medi-Cal, and how can a PSS assist?

• A. Eligibility, transportation, stigma, complex intake; PSS can provide information, accompany to appointments, and coordinate with benefits staff.
• B. Transportation is rarely an issue; PSS can ignore it.
• C. Only a stigma barrier exists; PSS can't help with intake complexity.
• D. Large number of providers makes access easy; PSS not needed.

Answer: (A)

Access to Medi-Cal is often blocked by several real barriers, including eligibility hurdles, transportation challenges, stigma, and a complex intake process. A Peer Support Specialist can help by providing clear, user-friendly information about eligibility and benefits; accompanying a person to appointments to reduce transportation obstacles and ease the experience; and coordinating with benefits staff to smooth out the intake and enrollment process, ensuring forms are completed and follow-up steps are taken. This approach directly addresses multiple barriers with practical, supportive actions, making it the strongest way a PSS can assist.

Other statements misstate the situation: transportation is rarely an issue and can be ignored; barriers are more than just stigma, and PSSs can help with intake by guiding and coordinating; access isn’t automatically easy simply because there are many providers—navigating the system remains challenging without support.