A Lionheart Health Alliance project
Compassionate care that speaks your language.
SIMBA is a free, private helper for immigrant families in California. It explains Medi-Cal in plain words, shows what you may qualify for, and helps you find care nearby.
Free. No account. Your answers stay on your phone.
SIMBA is a prototype. The program rules and clinics shown in it are examples that have not been reviewed yet.
Why SIMBA
Language
Many forms and websites are only in English. SIMBA works in your language and can read each screen aloud.
Fear and changing rules
Many families worry that getting care could hurt them, and the rules keep changing. SIMBA explains what the rules say, in plain words, and never shares your information.
Less help available
Funding for in-person helpers was cut. SIMBA answers common questions so navigators have more time for families who need them most.
What SIMBA does
- Check what you may qualify for, in about 2 minutes
- Get your own list of documents to bring
- Find clinics nearby that speak your language
- Make action cards with the time, place, bus directions, and what to bring
- Get reminders before your renewal is due
- Ask questions, and reach a real person when you need one
Leo's story
Leo is a cook in Santa Ana. He speaks Spanish. When he tried to apply for Medi-Cal, the forms were in English and he was afraid it could affect his immigration case, so he stopped. With SIMBA, he reads everything in Spanish, learns what the rules really say, sees what he may qualify for, finds a nearby clinic that speaks Spanish, and gets a reminder before his renewal is due.
Leo is an example person, based on the families SIMBA is designed for.
Private by design
SIMBA does not ask for your name, address, or Social Security number. In this version, your answers never leave your phone.