California uses the term Satisfactory Immigration Status (SIS) to determine the scope of benefits for which you're eligible.

If you have SIS, you may qualify for full coverage Medi-Cal benefits, including regular doctor visits, mental health care, dental, vision, and more.

You are considered to have SIS if:

• You are a U.S. citizen or national, OR
• You are a non-citizen who has an immigration status that allows eligibility for federally funded full coverage Medi-Cal. Examples include:
  • Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) who are exempt from or who have met the 5-year waiting period.
  • Refugees and asylees

California uses the term Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (UIS) to determine when someone does not meet eligibility for full Medi-Cal benefits.

If you have UIS, it means your current immigration situation doesn’t meet the requirements for full benefits, either because your status isn’t one of the accepted categories or because it hasn’t been verified. In that case, you may still qualify for restricted coverage Medi-Cal, which covers emergency or pregnancy-related services.

You are considered to have UIS if you do not claim or cannot verify one of the recognized immigration statuses that qualify for federally funded full coverage Medi-Cal. Examples include:

• You do not have a status or do not have an immigration status recognized by Medi-Cal.
• You have DACA.
• You are in the U.S. on a visitor visa, student visa, or temporary work visa (unless under age 21).
• You have applied for a U visa (but it hasn’t been granted yet).
• You were paroled into the U.S. for less than one year.