CALIFORNIA EXPANDS MEDI-MEDI PLANS TO 29 NEW COUNTIES AS MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS
Medi-Medi Plans are Special Health Plans for People Who Have Both Medicare and Medi-Cal
SACRAMENTO — As Medicare open enrollment begins on October 15, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is expanding access to Medi-Medi Plans––integrated health plans for people who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal—to 29 additional counties. This expansion brings the total to 41 counties that offer Medi-Medi Plans, nearly quadrupling access to these plans. This means Californians who are eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal will have the option to enroll in a Medi-Medi Plan to receive additional support to help manage chronic conditions, disabilities, or long-term care needs. Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting on January 1, 2026.
“California is building upon the success of Medi-Medi Plans that have already made a real difference in people's lives," said
DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “By expanding access to these plans, we're helping more Californians with complex health needs get the care they need—more easily, more consistently, and with greater support. This is about making health care work better for the people who rely on it most."
The 29 new counties are: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Placer, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba.
These 29 counties will join the 12 counties where Medi-Medi Plans are currently available: Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Tulare. For more details, visit the
Medicare Medi-Cal Plan List webpage,
Joining a Medi-Medi Plan information sheet, and the
Medi-Medi Plan Expansion Fact Sheet.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: For the first time, Californians who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal will have access to Medi-Medi Plans in 29 additional counties. Members with both Medicare and Medi-Cal often face serious health challenges, need help with daily activities, and deal with barriers like low income or limited transportation. They typically rely on many different services, but must navigate two separate systems to get care.
“This expansion is about making health care work better for the people who need it most," said
Lauren Solis, Chief of DHCS' Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration.
Medi-Medi Plans combine Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits into one plan and provide specialized care coordination and wraparound Medi-Cal services. This model simplifies care with one card, one care team, and integrated services across medical, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports.
Currently, about 330,000 people are enrolled in these plans across 12 counties. As a result of this expansion, an additional 461,000 Californians will now have the choice to enroll in a Medi-Medi Plan. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of Medicare members in California – 1.7 million people – also have Medi-Cal.
ABOUT MEDI-MEDI PLANS: Medi-Medi Plans are available to individuals who have both Medicare Part A and B, are enrolled in Medi-Cal, are 21 or older, and live in a participating county. Medi-Medi Plans coordinate all services across both Medicare and Medi-Cal, including:
- Services covered by Medicare, like doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, labs, and X-rays.
- Medi-Cal services, such as long-term care and medical transportation.
- In-Home Supportive Services and county-run specialty behavioral health care.
- Community Supports, including personal care, homemaker services, and home modifications when available.
Members also benefit from:
- A single health plan card and one phone number for all services.
- A care team that includes Medicare, Medi-Cal, and specialty providers.
- A personalized care plan and unified health risk assessment.
- Continuity of care, allowing members to keep their current providers for up to 12 months, even if they are not in the plan's network.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Eligible Californians can enroll in a Medi-Medi Plan during Medicare open enrollment from October 15 to December 7. Coverage will begin January 1, 2026. For more information about Medi-Medi Plans and how to enroll, visit the Medi-Medi Plan webpage.