Medi-Cal Changes

Starting January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will once again consider assets (what you own) when reviewing eligibility for older adults and people with disabilities as part of the application and renewal process.

WHO:

Medi-Cal members and applicants whose eligibility is based on age (65+), disability (physical, mental, or developmental), or long-term care needs.

KEY INFORMATION:

• The asset limit is $130,000 for one person. Each additional household member adds $65,000 to the asset limit, up to 10 members per household.
• Assets include bank accounts, cash, and anything over one home and one vehicle.
• Some assets don’t count, like the home you live in, one vehicle, household items, and certain savings, like retirement accounts.
• If you are already a Medi-Cal member, assets will be reviewed at your annual renewal. Income rules are not changing.

Starting January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will freeze new enrollments for certain adults who are undocumented and do not have a satisfactory immigration status for federal full scope Medi-Cal. This group will no longer be able to newly enroll in full scope Medi-Cal, even if they qualified before under state-funded programs.

WHO:

Californians aged 19 and older, who are not pregnant, who are undocumented, and who qualified for full scope Medi-Cal because of the state-funded Adult Expansions.

KEY INFORMATION:

• If you are already enrolled in full scope Medi-Cal, you will stay covered no matter your immigration status as long as you complete your annual renewal. Make sure to renew and use your benefits!
• If you are part of this group and lose your coverage, you won’t be able to sign up again—except for emergency and pregnancy care.
• If your coverage stops because of a late renewal or missing paperwork, you will have 90 days to fix it and stay enrolled.
• Income-eligible children (0-18) and pregnant people can enroll in full scope Medi-Cal, no matter their immigration status. Coverage is for the entire pregnancy and one year after the pregnancy ends.

Starting July 1, 2026, dental benefits will no longer be provided to adult Medi-Cal members who do not have satisfactory immigration status.

WHO:

Californians aged 19 and older who do not have a satisfactory immigration status, including, but not limited to:

• Green card holders not exempt from the five-year waiting period, who have had their permanent resident status for less than five years.
• PRUCOL (e.g., with temporary protected status or refugee status).
• People with no immigration status, but who currently qualify under past Medi-Cal expansions.
• People enrolled through a trafficking or crime victim assistance program.
• Lawfully present immigrants who are older than age 20 and not pregnant.

KEY INFORMATION:

• Emergency dental care (such as treatment for severe pain or infection and tooth extractions) will still be covered for everyone, no matter their immigration status.
• If you are pregnant and do not have a satisfactory immigration status, you will continue to receive full dental benefits during pregnancy and up to one year after the pregnancy ends.

Starting July 1, 2027, certain adult Medi-Cal members who do not have a satisfactory immigration status must pay $30 per month to keep full scope Medi-Cal.

WHO:

Californians aged 19-59, who are not pregnant, and who do not have a satisfactory immigration status, including but not limited to:

• Green card holders subject to the five-year waiting period, who have had their permanent resident status for less than five years.
• PRUCOL (e.g., with temporary protected status or refugee status).
• People without federal immigration status who currently qualify under past Medi-Cal expansions.
• People enrolled through a trafficking or crime victim assistance program.
• Lawfully present immigrants who are older than age 20 and not pregnant.

KEY INFORMATION:

• Full scope Medi-Cal coverage for this group includes doctor visits and preventive care, hospital and emergency services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, vision care, immunizations, and reproductive health services.
• If you are part of this group and do not pay your premium, your coverage will be reduced to emergency and pregnancy-related services.