IMPORTANT

Medical Baseline Program

Support for customers who depend on power for medical needs

Apply online for Medical Baseline! No printed forms required.

important notice icon Note: Are you looking for a printable application form? Download and print the application/recertification form (PDF).

Program overview

The Medical Baseline Program is also known as Medical Baseline Allowance. It assists residential customers who depend on power for certain medical needs. Eligibility and application details can be found below. 

Watch a short video about Medical Baseline.

 

Are you a medical professional?

Take a few minutes to learn about Medical Baseline. Inform your patients of the benefits and encourage them to apply:

 

Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) phase-out

Are you a Medical Baseline customer served by a Direct Access (DA) and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)? Are you looking for more information on the PCIA exemption phase-out for Medical Baseline? Learn more about the PCIA process and schedule:

The program offers two kinds of help

Residential customers enrolled in the Medical Baseline Program and on any tiered rates (e.g., E-1, EM or E-TOU-C) receive the Baseline Allowance. This is an additional allotment of energy every month at the lowest price available on their rate.

 

The additional allotment of energy is roughly 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas per month. This amount depends on the customer’s energy needs. These needs must be verified by a medical practitioner during certification.

 

To be approved for the Medical Baseline Program, you must continue to pay your monthly PG&E bill. Your utility services could be disconnected if you stop making payments.

 

important notice icon Note: Customers on electric vehicle rates do not receive an additional monthly allotment of energy. These rates do not have a Baseline Allowance. However, you could still save on one of these rates. This depends on when and how much energy you use.

 

Medical Baseline customers on the Electric Home (E-ELEC) and E-TOU-D rates may be eligible to receive a 12% discount (D-MEDICAL) on their electric charges. For more information, go to the Applicability section of the D-MEDICAL Tariff (PDF).

 

Severe weather, such as high winds, can cause trees or debris to damage equipment. If there is dry vegetation, this could lead to a wildfire. That's why we may need to turn power off to keep you safe. This temporary outage is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Our goal is to send customer alerts at:

  • 48 hours
  • 24 hours
  • Just prior to shutting off power

Based on your contact preferences, we will send you alerts via:

  • Automated calls
  • Texts
  • Emails

Medical Baseline customers will receive additional alerts. This may include multiple texts, phone calls or even a door-bell ring. Please acknowledge the alert. It is important to answer phone alerts or reply to text alerts so we know you have received them.

 

Learn about PSPS events.

Learn about resources available to support throughout a PSPS.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Medical Baseline Program is based on medical conditions or needs—NOT on income. To qualify, a full-time resident in your home must:

  • Have a qualifying medical condition and/or
  • Require use of a qualifying medical device to treat ongoing medical conditions

important notice icon Note: PG&E only requires one Medical Baseline application per household.

 

Qualifying medical conditions

 

Some examples of qualifying medical conditions include:

 

  • Paraplegic, hemiplegic or quadriplegic condition
  • Multiple sclerosis with heating and/or cooling needs
  • Scleroderma with heating needs
  • Life-threatening illness or compromised immune system. Requires heating and/or cooling to sustain life or prevent medical deterioration
  • Asthma and/or sleep apnea

 

Qualifying medical devices

 

Qualifying medical devices include, but are not limited to: 

 

  • Aerosol tent
  • Air mattress/hospital bed
  • Apnea monitor
  • Breather machine (IPPB)
  • Compressor/concentrator
  • Dialysis machine
  • Electronic nerve stimulator
  • Electrostatic nebulizer
  • Hemodialysis machine
  • Infusion pump
  • Inhalation pulmonary pressure
  • Iron lung
  • Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
  • Motorized wheelchair/scooter
  • Oxygen generator
  • Pressure pad
  • Pressure pump
  • Pulse oximeter/monitor
  • Respirator (all types)
  • Suction machine
  • Total artificial heart (TAH-t)
  • Ultrasonic nebulizer
  • Vest/airway clearance system

 

Examples of medical devices that don't qualify

  • Heating pads
  • Humidifiers
  • Pool or tank heaters
  • Saunas or hot tubs
  • Vaporizers
  • Whirlpool pumps

important notice icon Note: Qualifying medical devices include any medical device used to sustain life. Devices include equipment used for mobility, per a licensed medical practitioner. Devices are for home-use only. Devices used for therapy generally do not qualify.

Apply or recertify

Apply or recertify online

  1. Fill out the online form and submit it
  2. You should receive an email with a confirmation number. You will also receive instructions for your doctor.
  3. Share the confirmation number and instructions with your doctor.
  4. Your doctor will fill out their part of the form.
  5. Once your doctor confirms you are eligible, you will be enrolled in the program.

Apply or recertify by mail

  1. Download and print the application/recertification form (PDF).
  2. Complete Part A of the form and sign it.
  3. Have your doctor complete Part B of the form and sign it.
  4. Mail your completed form to:
    PG&E Billing Center Medical Baseline
    P.O. Box 8329
    Stockton, CA 95208

Large-print, Braille and audio formats

Do you need Medical Baseline forms in any of the following formats?

  • Large print
  • Braille
  • Audio

Email your request to CIACMC@pge.com. Include your name, mailing address and phone number. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing.

 

important notice icon Note: Deaf or hard-of-hearing customers using TTY may call California Relay Service at 7-1-1.

Self-certification

  1. First, a qualified medical practitioner must certify you as having a permanent qualifying medical condition.
  2. Then, to remain eligible, you must self-certify every four years. This is to confirm you still live at the service address on record. It does not require a qualified medical practitioner's signature.

 

Are you an active Medical Baseline customer with a non-permanent medical condition? Do you need to recertify to remain eligible?

  1. Go to the Apply or Recertify section of this page.
  2. Follow the steps to complete the application.

Active PG&E Medical Baseline customers who have received an alert to self-certify may do so online. They will receive an immediate confirmation of renewal.

 

To self-certify:

  1. Sign in with your PG&E online account information. 
    • If you don’t have a PG&E online account, select One-Time Access.
  2. Complete the form and submit it.

To submit a paper self-certification form by mail:

  1. The Medical Baseline Self-Certification form is included with your renewal notification letter. You may also print a copy of the self-certification form (PDF).
  2. Complete form and sign it.
  3. Mail your completed form to:

    PG&E Billing Center
    Medical Baseline
    P.O. Box 8329
    Stockton, CA 95208

Resources

Choose your contact preferences

How do want to be notified in the event of a planned or unplanned power outage?

A Medical Baseline FAQ for medical professionals

If you are a medical practitioner or healthcare provider, please review the Medical Practitioner FAQ (PDF). Learn how you can help spread awareness and encourage enrollment in the Medical Baseline Program to further support your patients.

Help for vulnerable customers who do not qualify for Medical Baseline

Are you or is a resident of your home at risk due to a medical condition if your service is disconnected? You may self-certify as a vulnerable customer.

Information for tenants

Help your tenants learn about the Medical Baseline Program. Post this tenant flyer in a common area for their awareness. 

Frequently asked questions

Any medical device used to sustain life or relied upon for mobility

  • Must be determined by a licensed qualified medical practitioner
  • Must be used in the home

important notice icon Note: In general equipment used for therapy does not qualify for Medical Baseline.

 

Life support equipment includes:

  • Respirators (oxygen concentrators)
  • Iron lungs
  • Hemodialysis machines
  • Suction machines
  • Electric nerve stimulators
  • Pressure pads and pumps
  • Aerosol tents
  • Electrostatic and ultrasonic nebulizers
  • Compressors
  • Intermittent sensitive pressure breathing (IPPB) machines
  • Motorized wheelchairs

Qualified medical practitioners include:

  • Licensed physicians
  • Surgeons
  • Persons licensed pursuant to the Osteopathic Initiative Act per California Public Utilities Code §739
  • Nurse practitioners consistent with PG&E’s current practice and as now provided in California Public Utilities Codes & §799.3
  • A licensed physician assistant working as a part of the customer’s physician team

You’ll receive a welcome email or letter. Once you have been enrolled, you will be able to check your status in two places:

 

Your account

  1. Log into your online account.
  2. Go to your account dashboard.
  3. Look for "Enrolled in Medical Baseline."
  4. Select the "Learn More" link for more information about your status.

 

Your bill

  1. Open your paper energy statement.
  2. Look for either "Life Support" and/or "Medical" on the lower lefthand side of your bill under "Enrolled Programs." 

We will mail you a letter if:

  • Your Medical Baseline application has been denied, or
  • You have been removed from the Medical Baseline program because you failed to self-certify or recertify.

To unenroll from the Medical Baseline or Life Support program: 

  • Sign into your account.
  • Select "Enrolled in Medical Baseline" in the menu.
  • Select "Unenroll."
  • Confirm your unenrollment.

You can also call 1-877-660-6789 and ask to be removed.

Submit your paper self-certification form by mail:

  1. The Medical Baseline Self-Certification form is included with your renewal notification letter. You may also print a copy of the self-certification form (PDF).
  2. Complete form and sign it.
  3. Mail your completed form to:

    PG&E Billing Center
    Medical Baseline
    P.O. Box 8329
    Stockton, CA 95208

important notice icon Note: At this time, it is not possible to email your form.

You cannot check the status of your application while it being processed. Once you have been enrolled, you will be able to check your status in two places:

 

Your account

  1. Log into your online account.
  2. Go to your account dashboard.
  3. Look for "Enrolled in Medical Baseline."
  4. Select the "Learn More" link for more information about your status.

 

Your bill

  1. Open your paper energy statement.
  2. Look for either "Life Support" and/or "Medical" on the lower lefthand side of your bill under "Enrolled Programs." 

  1. Self-certification helps confirm where you live and your contact preferences.
    • Self-certification is required every four years for Medical Baseline customers with permanent medical conditions.
    • Your medical condition must be determined permanent by a medical practitioner.
  2. Re-certification helps confirm you still need assistance.
    • Customers with non-permanent conditions must recertify every two years.
    • This requires a medical practitioner's signature.

If you stop service at your old address and start service at your new address at the same time:

  • Your Medical Baseline Program will be transferred to your new address.

If you request to stop service at your old address today and start service at your new address later:

  • Your Medical Baseline Program will NOT be transferred to your new address.

important notice icon Note: Please call at 1-877-660-6789 and ask us to transfer your Medical Baseline Program to your new address.

You don't have to visit your medical practitioner's office to apply to PG&E's Medical Baseline program. Instead:

  1. Go to the Application section on this page.
  2. Follow the instructions and guidelines for online applications

Yes. Eligibility is not based on income. It is solely based on medical needs. Your eligibility or enrollment in other assistance programs do not affect your ability to get Medical Baseline.

 

See the Application section on this page for more information on how to apply.

You could be given extra Medical Baseline energy allotments after evaluation. This depends on:

  • Your rate plan
  • Your medical-related energy needs 

Eligible Medical Baseline customers who are on tiered rate plans (i.e., E1, E-TOU-C, G1, etc.) may receive a “standard” Medical Baseline quantity of roughly:

  • 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and/or
  • 25 therms of gas per month

This quantity is in addition to regular Baseline quantities of their current rate.

 

You might be eligible for more than one standard Medical Baseline Allotment depending on:

  • Your medical needs
  • The number of medical devices you are using 

 

Call PG&E at 1-877-660-6789. Request to be evaluated for an extra Medical Baseline allotment. Only one Medical Baseline application per household is required.

 

important notice icon Note: Extra allotments of electricity only work with electric rate plans with baseline allowances (e.g., E1, E-TOU-C, etc.). Customers on D-MEDICAL (e.g., E-ELEC) receive a flat 12% discount on their electric charges irrespective of the number of allotments.

Eligible Medical Baseline customers may receive a “standard” Medical Baseline quantity. This is roughly:

  • 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity if they are on a rate plan with a baseline, and/or
  • 25 therms of gas per month

This quantity is in addition to regular Baseline quantities of their current rate. This additional energy allotment is provided at the lowest price on your current rate. 

 

Customers on the Electric Home (E-ELEC) and E-TOU-D rates may be eligible to receive 12% discount (D-MEDICAL) on their electric charges.

 

To see if you qualify, visit the Applicability section of the D-MEDICAL Tariff (PDF).

The number of residents with medical needs who live in the address does not matter. PG&E only requires one Medical Baseline application per household. You might be eligible for more than one standard Medical Baseline Allotment depending on:

  • Your medical needs
  • The number of medical devices used by Medical Baseline customers at the same address

Contact us at 1-877-660-6789. Ask us for an additional Medical Baseline allotment. We will see if you qualify. Medical Baseline allotments are not automatically granted.

No. Medical Baseline eligibility is solely based on medical needs. You can enroll in Medical Baseline whether you are on Medi-Cal or not. 

 

Review the Application section on this page for more information on how to apply.

No. Some physical therapy devices do not qualify for Medical Baseline. These include saunas and hot tubs. A medical device must be “used to sustain life or used for mobility” to qualify.
Review this complete list of qualifying medical devices.

More financial help

Discounted phone service

Discounted phone service is based on your income level or program participation. See if you qualify.

 

Low-cost home internet

You could receive a $30 monthly discount off fast home internet.