Medical devices in your home?
We may be able to help.

If you or someone in your household has a qualifying medical condition or  a need for certain medical devices, you may qualify for the Medical Baseline Program.  Apply today to receive the Medical Baseline discount and save on your energy bill!

Medical Baseline

Medical Baseline Program Overview

The Medical Baseline Program provides a discount for an additional amount of gas and electricity at the lowest rates for residential customers. Medical Baseline customers on untiered rates may be eligible to receive a 20% discount on their electric charges. 

Anyone who uses certain medical devices or needs space heating or air conditioning because of a medical condition may qualify. We recognize certain needs require increased energy use and offer this program to help reduce your monthly bill. 

 

How to Qualify  

  • You must have a qualifying medical condition or use qualifying medical devices. Refer to the drop-down menu below for “Qualifying Medical Devices”, which includes but is not limited to the items listed.
  • Fill out a "New Application," have it certified by your physician and return it to the address listed on the application.  
  • The person with the qualifying medical condition  must live at the address on the application.  Their name does not need to be on the bill, but the person whose name is on the  bill must sign the application.
  • The medical equipment must be for home-use only. 

Qualifying Medical Devices and Equipment

Compromised immune system or life-threatening illness

Hemiplegia

Multiple Sclerosis

Paraplegia

Quadriplegia

Scleroderma

Air Mattress/Hospital Beds

Apnea Monitors

Breather Machines (IPPB)

Compressors/Concentrators

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Dialysis Machines

Electrostatic Nebulizers

Electric Nerve Stimulators

Hemodialysis Machines

Infusion Pumps

Inhalation Pulmonary Pressure

Iron Lungs

Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD)

Lympha Press Devices

Motorized Wheelchairs

Oxygen Generators

Pacemaker Monitor/Defibrillator

Pressure Pads

Pressure Pumps

Pulse Oximeters/Monitors (must be used with other medical devices, cannot be powered by battery)

Respirators (all types)

Suction Machines

Air filters

Heating pads

Humidifiers

Pool or tank heaters

Saunas or hot tubs

Vaporizers

Whirlpool pumps

Apply Today

Please email your completed application and signed doctor form to  [email protected].  If your application is incomplete or if you do not provide a signed doctor form, your application will not be processed.  

The application is also available in other languages: 

Power Outages and Other Emergencies

While we do our best to avoid outages, we cannot guarantee that the power will always be on.  Especially if you live in high fire risk areas.  We'll always attempt to notify you in advance of a state-directed power outage, which is why it's important we have your most up-to-date contact information.  However, if you're in a life-threatening situation and you  require medical equipment for life support please  call 911.

If possible, you should also make arrangements for a back-up power supply in case of an outage.  If you'll be using a generator during an outage, state law requires that you call and notify us that you have a generator.  

During high fire risk weather conditions, a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) may be called as a last resort to help prevent potential wildfires.  To understand more and be prepared visit our  Public Safety Power Shutoff web page. 

 

Update Your Contact Information

For your safety, it's important we have your correct contact information in case of an emergency or outage.  To check or update your contact information visit  sdge.com/myenergycenter web page and follow these instructions:

  • Login to My Energy Center.  If you're new to My Energy Center you'll have to register.  
  • On the home page click on your profile name in top right corner
  • Then click on "My Profile" and update your contact information  

If you need any additional help with your contact information, you can  reach us at 1-800-411-7343 , Monday - Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  or Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Updating Your Application

Renewing Your Application

If you're enrolled in the Medical Baseline Program, at some point, you'll be asked to renew your application.  

Non-Permanent Condition

If the doctor certifies the medical condition is not permanent,  we'll require completion of a new application with a doctor's certification every two years. 

Permanent Condition

If the doctor certifies the medical condition is permanent, we'll require completion of a form self-certifying your continued eligibility for the Medical Baseline Allowance every four years.  If you fall into this group, we'll send you a renewal notice in the mail.
 

If you’re enrolled in Medical Baseline and move, your enrollment will automatically transfer with you.  You do not need to contact us.

If the medical equipment is no longer needed, or if the person using it no longer lives at the address where the allowance is given, please contact us at [email protected]  or call 1-866-463-0070 Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact Us

If you need to speak to a representative regarding program enrollment or recertification , you can reach us via phone or email.

FAQs - 2026 Medical Baseline Program Updates

Your MBL discount is changing to a separate line item, so it is easier to understand and easier to see on your bill.

As part of the updates, the MBL discount will now be shown the same way CARE or FERA discounts appear. This update replaces the older “built‑in” discount structure for certain rate plans and makes the discount clearer and more consistent for all customers.

Your Medical Baseline (MBL) discount is transitioning from being built into your tiered rate plan to appearing as a separate line item on your bill. As part of a statewide update, the discount will gradually adjust over the next four years, from about 36% to about 20%, to make Medical Baseline benefits more consistent across California. Because of this change, your bill may increase even if your energy use stays the same.

You will continue to receive your extra Medical Baseline energy allowance, which helps keep more of your usage in the lowest‑priced tier. Customers on non‑tiered plans will now receive a uniform 20% line‑item discount.

Schedule E‑MEDICAL explains the Medical Baseline benefits you receive, and those benefits depend on the type of rate plan you’re on.

  • If you’re on a tiered rate plan:
    You’ll continue to get your extra Medical Baseline energy allowance, which helps keep more of your usage at the lowest price. You’ll also receive certain bill exemptions (like the Wildfire Fund Non-Bypassable Charge or WF‑NBC) and a line‑item Medical Baseline discount. This discount is calculated using the energy‑use portion of your bill after removing any exemptions, minimum bill charges, and your basic service charge.
  • If you’re on a non‑tiered (untiered) rate plan:
    You’ll receive the same bill exemptions (like the WF‑NBC) along with a 20% Medical Baseline line‑item discount, also based on the energy‑use portion of your bill after applicable exemptions and charges are removed.

You can find your rate plan on your SDG&E bill in the “Rate” section. It will list the specific plan name, such as Standard DR TOU‑DR / TOU‑DR1 / TOU‑DR2.

Once you know your rate, the following will help you identify whether your rate is tiered or untiered:

  • Tiered Rate Plans: DR, DM, DS, DT, DT-RV, TOU-DR, TOU-DR1, and TOU-DR2
  • Untiered Rate Plans: DR-SES, EV-TOU, EV-TOU-2, EV-TOU-5, and TOU-ELEC

Understanding whether your rate plan is tiered or untiered can help you better manage your energy costs.

  • Tiered plans may be a good fit if you’re able to keep overall energy use lower.
  • Untiered plans may be a better option if you have solar, an electric vehicle, or other electrified technologies that result in higher usage.

To see whether another rate plan might work better for your household, you can compare options at sdge.com/pricing.

No action is required from you.

No. Your protections, notifications, and annual renewal process will remain the same under the Medical Baseline Program.

If you’re struggling with bills and need help, we have a number of customer assistance programs that you may qualify for:

  • CARE – Offers those who qualify 30% or more off monthly bill. Visit sdge.com/CARE
  • FERA – Offers those who qualify 18% off monthly electric bill. Visit sdge.com/FERA
  • ESA - Offers no-cost home energy upgrades that can help you save on your bill. Visit sdge.com/ESA