Medi-Cal Is Not Changing for Most People!
The Health Consumer Alliance is here to help you understand what will be changing with Medi-Cal in 2026 and 2027.
Most Medi-Cal members will keep the same eligibility and benefits.
The following groups can keep their Medi-Cal with dental coverage and will not have to pay a monthly premium, regardless of immigration status!
These groups are:
- Children ages 0-18 years old
- Current and former foster youth under age 26 years old
- Pregnant individuals
Covered benefits include seeing your doctor and going to the hospital or getting emergency care. Medi-Cal members will still be able to fill their prescriptions, get mental health supports, and receive treatment for substance use.
Other services still covered will be regular checkups, shots or vaccines, long-term care, non-emergency medical transportation, dental and vision care.
You will still be able to access the healthcare benefits and services you need to maintain and support your health.
The HCA has put together a snapshot of each of these upcoming changes below.
A detailed timeline with more information on each of the upcoming changes to Medi-Cal can be found on the Department of Healthcare Services, Medi-Cal Program Changes page – What Medi-Cal Members Need to Know or by clicking the Learn More buttons below.
Additional information, provided by DHCS, regarding immigration status and Medi-Cal Eligibility can be found here.
Important steps for keeping your coverage:
- Keep your contact information up to date with Medi-Cal to avoid missing important notices.
- Watch your mail, phone, text messages and email. The county uses all of those ways to contact members, so it’s important to monitor them all.
- Respond to any letters from your local county Medi-Cal office and any other reminders from your health plan, community groups, or other trusted sources of information.
- Continue going to your regular doctor appointments and don’t skip check-ups.
Medi-Cal Changes for Adult Immigrants (ages 19 and up) in California starting in 2026 and 2027
Changes to Medi-Cal eligibility are coming beginning in 2026 and 2027. As an adult immigrant (ages 19 and up) with Medi-Cal in California it’s important to understand your eligibility and how these changes might affect you. HCA has developed a resource to guide you through these upcoming changes and how it may impact your eligibility. Translations: Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Note: Translations of this fact sheet are pending and will be posted as they become available.
Immigration status and Health Coverage Eligibility: What You Need to Know
The following chart provides a clear guide as to what the different types of immigration status are and how that might affect your eligibility for Medi-Cal health coverage in California.
Immigration Eligibility for Health Plans in California: What You Need to Know
The following chart provides a clear guide as to what the different types of health plans are in California and who is eligible based on their immigration status.
Know Your Rights: Privacy Information for Immigrants on Medi-Cal
As an adult immigrant with Medi-Cal in California your privacy is important! Stay informed using the HCA’s fact sheet on your rights to privacy. Translations: Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese
January 1, 2026: Asset Limit for Older Adults and People with Disabilities go into effect.
Medi-Cal will evaluate and count assets – what you own – when checking eligibility for older adults and people with disabilities as part of the application and renewal process for Medi-Cal. This fact sheet provides important information about the asset limit reinstatement and how it might affect. you. Translations: Spanish
January 1, 2026: Enrollment Freeze for Undocumented Members ages 19 and up
Beginning January 1, 2026, new Medi-Cal applications for adults – ages 19 and up – who are undocumented can only qualify for Emergency Medi-Cal or pregnancy-related Medi-Cal. It is important to remember that if you already have Medi-Cal or if you applied before January 1, 2026, you are eligible to keep your full scope Medi-Cal coverage after January 1, 2026, provided you still meet all other eligibility requirements. Remember the deadline to apply for Medi-Cal is December 31, 2025. Apply now to keep your Medi-Cal!
July 1, 2026: Dental Benefits will not be covered under Medi-Cal for Certain Adult Medi-Cal Members
Dental benefits will not be covered for Medi-Cal members ages 19 and up who are undocumented or who do not have satisfactory immigration status.
All other Medi-Cal benefits are still covered, including emergency dental services for severe pain, tooth extractions, infections, and other qualifying situations.
July 1, 2027: Monthly Premiums will go into effect for Certain Adult Medi-Cal Members
Medi-Cal members who are ages 19 through 59, who are undocumented, or do not have a satisfactory immigration status will pay $30 per month to keep full scope Medi-Cal.
