Home Medi-Cal Updates Fee-for-Service Transition

Fee-for-Service Transition

Family under umbrella and doctor.
Medi-Cal
Info icon

An important change to Medi-Cal starts January 1, 2027

Medi-Cal is changing

You are NOT losing your Medi-Cal.

A new federal rule means some members will get Medi-Cal through Fee-for-Service instead of a health plan.

Fee-for-Service does not mean you pay. Medi-Cal still pays for your care.

Who it affects

These changes are for all Medi-Cal members who are:

  • Undocumented
  • Green card holders (lawful permanent residents) who must wait five years for full Medi-Cal
  • Allowed to live in the U.S. but do not have official immigration status (PRUCOL)

Visit Immigration Status and Medi‑Cal Changes to see if this applies to you.

How you will get care

Starting January 1, 2027:

  • You will not be in a Medi-Cal health plan anymore.
  • You can go to any doctor or clinic that takes Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service.
  • You will choose your own doctor. A health plan will not pick a doctor for you.
  • You can still get mental health care.
    • Therapy, counseling, and medicine visits will now go through Fee-for-Service.
    • Serious mental health care, or help with drug or alcohol use, will still come from your county.
  • Your medicines stay covered through Medi-Cal Rx.
  • Your dental care stays the same.

What to do now

Ask your doctor

Before January 1, 2027, ask: “Do you take Fee‑for‑Service?”

  • Yes: You can keep going there.
  • No: You will need to find care that takes Fee-for-Service.

Find a new doctor

Find a doctor or clinic who takes Fee‑for‑Service.

Find Care

Or call the Medi‑Cal Helpline at (800) 541‑5555.

Use your Medi-Cal (BIC) card

  • Your Medi-Cal (BIC) card is the card you will use in Fee-for-Service.
  • Bring it to all medical, dental, and pharmacy visits.
  • Your health plan card will not work anymore.
  • If you need a new Medi-Cal (BIC) card, contact your county Medi‑Cal office.

Watch your mail

Open Medi-Cal letters right away and respond fast.

Renew your Medi-Cal

Renew Medi-Cal on time to stay covered

Medicare

Medi-Medi Plans

If you get both Medicare and Medi-Cal (Medi-Medi) you will leave that plan on January 1, 2027. This is because you will no longer be in a Medi-Cal health plan.

You will keep Medicare. You can use Original Medicare or choose a new Medicare plan.

PACE

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)

PACE is a program that gives complete care for older adults who qualify.

You will stay in PACE. You will NOT move to Fee-for-Service.

PACE will keep giving you all your care the same way it does now.

Help

Contact us