FAQs

Renewals

​When is my renewal due?

• ​​All Medi-Cal members have their Medi-Cal looked at once per year. Everyone has a different renewal date
• You will get a letter in the mail that tells you when your renewal is due.
• You can check your renewal date in your online account.
• ​Log into BenefitsCal or MyBenefitsCalWIN.
• ​You can also create a new account.
• If you don't know how, go to KeepMediCalCoverage.org.

​Do I need to complete a Medi-Cal renewal form?

• ​​Not all Medi-Cal members need to complete a renewal form.
• ​Your local Medi-Cal office will review the information they have. They also check other government databases.
• If they confirm you are eligible, they will renew you. You will get a notice if you are renewed. You do not need to do anything else.
• ​​Others will need to give more information.
  
• Your local Medi-Cal office will send you a renewal form. It will be in a bright yellow envelope.
• If you get a form, you must complete it. You must also turn in the extra information it requests. You must do this to keep your Medi-Cal.

​​​How can I submit my renewal?

• ​​​The fastest and easiest way is online. Log in or create an account with BenefitsCal or MyBenefitsCalWIN. If you don't know which one to use, visit KeepMediCalCoverage.org.
• You can turn in your renewal through the mail. Follow the directions on your renewal form.
• You can complete your renewal over the phone. Call the number on your renewal form. There might be a long wait time.
• You can complete your renewal in-person. Go to your local Medi-Cal office. There might be a long wait time. Every Medi-Cal office has different ways to attend to their Medi-Cal members.
• Help is available. Contact your local Medi-Cal office or a Health Enrollment Navigator.

​​What information do I need to give to my local Medi-Cal office?​

• ​​​Your local Medi-Cal office will ask for what they need.
• They only ask for things that affects your Medi-Cal. They need details and proof of any changes.
• They will need to know if you:
• ​Get married or divorced
  
• Have a child, adopt or place a child for adoption
  
• Become pregnant
  
• Get more or less money
  
• Get any other health coverage, like through a job or Medicare. This won't stop your Medi-Cal.
  
• Move, or change who is living in your home
  
• Have become disabled or had a change in your disability
  
• Have a change in how you file your income taxes, such as starting or stopping claiming someone as a tax dependent.
  
• Have a change in citizenship or immigration status
  
• Are incarcerated (jail, prison, etc.) or released from incarceration
  
• Have a change in American Indian or Alaska Native status
  
• Have a change in your tribal status
  
• Change your name, date of birth or Social Security Number (SSN)
  
• Have any other changes that may affect your income or household size
  
• If you get income, you may need to give proof.  The form lists examples such as pay stubs and tax returns.
  
• You do not need to tell us about non-income assets. These include bank accounts, homes, and vehicles.
  
• You don't need to turn in proof of your assets and property.
  
• You need to report if a new person with property moves in.
• You need to report if you get money from your property. An example is rent payments paid to you.

What happens after I turn in my Medi-Cal renewal?

• Your local Medi-Cal office will look at your renewal. They will determine if you still get Medi-Cal.
  
• If your renewal is missing something, they will ask for more information. They will send you a notice telling you what they need.
  
• If they have what they need, they will send you a notice. The notice will tell you whether or not you still get Medi-Cal.
  
• If you do, it will tell you that your Medi-Cal is renewed for one year.
• If you don't, it will tell you when your Medi-Cal ends.

How did Medi-Cal get the information on the renewal form?

• The renewal form has all the information Medi-Cal knows about you.
  
• You gave most of the information in previous applications and renewals.
  
• Some may come from other places Medi-Cal has access to. These include:
  
• Social Security
  
• Employment Development Department
  

What do I need to do with the form that Medi-Cal sent to me?

• You need to read the pre-populated information. If it is wrong, make changes or updates on the form.
  
• You need to give proof when the renewal tells you to. instructed.
  
• If you get income, you need to give proof. The form lists examples. They include pay stubs and tax returns.
• You do NOT need to complete the section about non-income assets and property or give proof.

I am an immigrant receiving restricted Medi-Cal. I heard a new law gives full Medi-Cal coverage. What can I do?

• California passed a law that expands free, full-scope Medi-Cal coverage. All residents regardless of immigration status are eligible. The new rules start January 1, 2024.
  
• You will need to renew your current coverage when you get a notice. It will continue until the end of the year.
• On January 1, 2024, you will get full-scope coverage. Your local Medi-Cal office will transfer you. You do not need to do anything. They will send you a letter about your new benefits.

I got a letter or notice but not the yellow envelope. What do I need to do?

• ​Not all Medi-Cal members need to complete a renewal form.
  
• Your local Medi-Cal office will review the information they have. They also check other government databases.
  
• If they confirm you are eligible, they will renew you. You will get a notice if you are renewed. You do not need to do anything else.
  
• Other people will need to give more information.
  
• Your local Medi-Cal office will send you a renewal form. It will be in a bright yellow envelope.
• If you get a form, you must complete it. You must also turn in the extra information it requests. You need to do this to keep your Medi-Cal.

I am being asked for bank statements to prove my income. I do not have money in the bank account. Do I need to submit a statement?

• If you do not have money, you can simply complete a sworn statement to the local Medi-Cal office that you do not have income or money.

How do I submit the proof for my renewal?

• You can turn in the proof by mail, phone, in person, or online.
  
• You may also contact a Health Enrollment Navigator for free help. It will never cost money to apply for Medi-Cal. No one can make you pay to turn in Medi-Cal applications, renewals, or proof.
  
• Local Medi-Cal office workers are here to help. They can help in-person or by phone. They can tell you about the renewal form. They can also help you complete your renewal form.
  
• ​There may be long wait times at the office and on the phone.
  
• You may also ask for free help in any language. You can get language services in-person or by phone. 
  
• Medi-Cal offices have staff that speak in other languages.
  
• They also use a language telephone service.
  
• You have a right to get services in your preferred language.
  

No Longer Covered

I did not turn in my renewal form or information. I got a notice that my Medi-Cal is ending. What can I do?

• If you get a renewal form and do not complete it, your Medi-Cal will end.
  
• If it is less than 90 days from the date on the letter:
  
• Turn in your renewal form or missing information. Your local Medi-Cal office will see if you still get Medi-Cal. You do not need to turn in a new application.   
  
• ​If it is more than 90 days after the date on the letter:
• ​You must turn in a new Medi-Cal application.

I got a notice that I no longer get Medi-Cal. I think I still should get it. What can I do?

• You can ask your local Med-Cal office to look at your case. Contact your local Medi-Cal office.
  
• If they cannot help you, you can ask for a Medi-Cal Fair Hearing.
  
• You can turn in an online request here.
  
• You can also call the State Hearings Division toll free at (800) 743-8525.
  

What can I do if I make too much money for Medi-Cal?

• You may get a private health plan through Covered California. You could also get financial assistance.
  
• If you qualify, your local Medi-Cal office will share your information. Covered California will enroll you in a quality plan. They will select a plan that gives the best value at the lowest cost.
  
• Look out for important notices from Covered California. The envelope may say “Stay Covered with Covered California."
  
• If you get a notice asking to confirm your plan, respond right away. You will have the option to change your plan or cancel.
  
• Visit CoveredCA.com or call Covered California's service center at (800) 300-1506 to learn more.
  

Access to Care During Renewal

I have a medical, dental or eye doctor appointment. My renewal form is due this month. What can I do?

• You may go to your appointment(s). You still have Medi-Cal while the county is looking at your renewal form. It will only end if you are no longer eligible.
• If you are not eligible, you will get a notice of action. It will say when your Medi-Cal ends. You can get care until this date.

I think my Medi-Cal ended in error. I asked for a hearing. Do I still have Medi-Cal?

• Your notice had a date for your Medi-Cal ended. If you asked for a hearing before your Medi-Cal ended, you still get Medi-Cal.
  

Scam Alert

Somebody asked me for money to complete my Medi-Cal renewal.

• ​​Medi-Cal will never ask for money to turn in a renewal. If you get a call asking for money to complete your renewal, report it. Please call the Medi-Cal fraud hotline at (800) 822-6222.​