Medi-Cal Changes

Asset Limits

As of January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal has changed the amount of certain assets (things you own that have value) you can own when you apply or renew. Income rules have not changed.

Who this applies to

You may be affected if you :

• Are age 65 or older
• Have a disability (physical, mental, or developmental)
• Live in a nursing home
• Are in a family that makes too much money to qualify under federal tax rules

Important to know

Through June 30, 2027:

• The most you can own (asset limit) is $130,000 for one person
• Add $65,000 for every extra person in your house (up to 10 people)

Starting July 1, 2027, the asset limit is:

• $21,000 for one person
• $31,000 for two people
• Add $1,550 for every extra person in your house (up to 10 people)

Assets that count include:

• Bank accounts
• Cash
• More than one house or vehicle

Assets that don’t count include:

• The home you live in
• One vehicle
• Household items
• Some savings, like retirement accounts

See the Help Center for more information.

Enrollment Freeze

As of January 1, 2026, some adults are no longer able to sign up for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage based on their immigration status. 

Who this applies to

• Please see the Immigration Status Categories Chart

Important to know

• If you already have full-scope Medi-Cal, you can stay covered no matter your immigration status.
• You must renew on time and continue to meet Medi-Cal rules.
• If your Medi-Cal ends, you have a three-month grace period to re-enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal.
• If you miss the grace period, you must reapply for Medi-Cal. You will be eligible only for restricted-scope Medi-Cal, which covers:
  • Emergency care
  • Pregnancy-related care
  • Nursing home care

Who can still get full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status

• Children (0-18)
• Pregnant people (through pregnancy and up to one year after)
• People under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday

Fee-for-Service Transition

Starting January 1, 2027, some members will get their Medi-Cal care through Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medi-Cal instead of a health plan. This change affects how you get care, not whether you stay eligible for and covered by Medi-Cal.

Who this applies to

• People who are undocumented.
• Some people with green cards who are in the five-year waiting period before they can get full-scope federal Medicaid.
• People considered Permanently Residing in the U.S. Under Color of Law (PRUCOL), meaning they are allowed to stay in the U.S. even without formal immigration status.

Please see the Immigration Status Categories chart for details.

Important to Know

• You will stay covered if you renew on time.
• You will no longer be in a health plan. You can choose any doctor or clinic that accepts FFS Medi-Cal.
• “Fee-for-Service” does not mean you pay. Medi-Cal will still pay for your care.
• Specialty mental health and substance use treatment will continue through County Behavioral Health Plans.
• Your medicines will still be covered by Medi-Cal Rx.
• Dental care is not changing for most members. The way dental care is delivered depends on the county
• Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports (services only available in managed care) will not continue in FFS Medi-Cal.
• Other kinds of help are still available for eligible members such as Community Health Worker services, chronic care management, doula services, and county mental health programs.
• DHCS will offer new care coordination and navigation support to help members during this change. This includes a nurse advice line with trained staff and community-based navigators to help you understand the change and what you need to do.
• You will get more information before this change happens.

Dental Coverage

Starting July 1, 2027, some Medi-Cal members will stop getting full-scope dental services as part of their Medi-Cal coverage.

Who this applies to

• Please see the Immigration Status Categories chart

Important to know

You can still get care dental emergencies, including: 

• Serious tooth pain
• Infections
• Tooth extractions

Some people in this group will still get full-scope dental. You are eligible if you are:

• A child (0-18)
• Pregnant (through pregnancy and up to one year after)
• Under age 26 and were in foster care on your 18th birthday

Immigration Status Changes

Starting in October 2026, the federal government will change how it classifies some immigration statuses. These changes affect whether certain adults can continue getting federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal. If you are affected, you will continue receiving state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal through June 30, 2027.

Who this applies to

• Refugee and asylees: People who left their home country for safety and don’t yet have a Green Card
• Humanitarian parolees: People allowed into the U.S. for urgent reasons for at least one year
• Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking: and have with a pending status

Please see the Immigration Status Categories chart for details.

Important to Know

Starting July 1, 2027, people in this group will only be eligible for pregnancy-related services and emergency services.

Monthly Premiums

Starting July 1, 2027, some Medi-Cal members will need to pay a monthly fee (called a premium) to keep their full-scope Medi-Cal.

Who this applies to

• Please see the Immigration Status Categories chart

Important to know

If you don’t pay, your Medi-Cal will change to restricted-scope, which covers:

• Emergency care
• Pregnancy-related care
• Nursing home care

You will not have to pay a premium if you are:

• A child (0-18)
• Pregnant (through pregnancy and up to one year after)
• Under age 26 and were in foster care on your 18th birthday

Work Rules

Starting January 1, 2027, some adults will need to work, volunteer, go to school, or participate in training to get to keep Medi-Cal. You will receive a letter if this applies to you.

Who this applies to

• Adults (19-64) who are eligible for Medi-Cal because of the Affordable Care Act expansions, including adults covered by the new rules for immigrants.

Who this does not apply to

These new work or volunteer rules do not apply to:

• Children (0–18)
• Older adults (65 and older)
• Pregnant people (through pregnancy and up to one year after)
• Parents of children age 0-13
• People with disabilities
• People with serious health or mental health conditions or substance use problems
• People who were released from jail or prison within the last 90 days
• People on Medicare Part A or Part B
• American Indians or Alaska Natives
• People under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday

Your county Medi-Cal office will send you a letter to let you know if you must comply with work requirements, or if other information is needed from you to demonstrate that you meet one of these exemptions.

Important to know

Members must do one or more of the following:

• Work at a job and get paid at least $580 a month
• Be a seasonal worker and make an average of $580 a month over the last six months
• Be in a job training program (that helps you learn skills to get a job) for at least 80 hours per month
• Volunteer or do community service for at least 80 hours per month
• Go to school at least half-time. This usually means taking two or three classes or about six to eight credits each semester
• Do a mix of the things listed above for a total of at least 80 hours per month, or at least $580 per month

If you are required to work or volunteer under these new rules and do not meet the rules, you could lose your Medi-Cal.

When you get a letter from Medi-Cal or your county office, open it right away and respond quickly.

Medi-Cal will send more information before this rule starts, including ways to help you meet the rules.

Less Time to Get Help Paying Old Medical Bills

Starting January 1, 2027, Medi-Cal will pay for fewer months of past medical bills from before you applied.

Who this applies to

• Adults (age 19-64) without children (0-18)

If this applies to you, Medi-Cal will send you a letter.

Important to know

New rules:

• Adults without children: Medi-Cal will only pay for one month of past bills
• All others: Medi-Cal will pay for two months of past bills

Six-Month Eligibility Checks

Starting March 1, 2027, some Medi-Cal members will have their eligibility checked twice a year instead of once.

Who this applies to

• Adults (19-64) who are eligible for Medi-Cal because of the Affordable Care Act expansions, including members subject to the changes for immigrants listed above.

Who this does not apply to

These members will continue with once-a-year renewals:

• Members not in the Affordable Care Act new adult group
• Pregnant or postpartum individuals
• Alaska Native or American Indian members
• People under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday

Important to know

• Missing deadlines could cause loss of coverage

Copayments

Starting October 1, 2028, some adults on Medi-Cal may have to pay a fee (called a copayment) for certain services.

Who this applies to

Adults (19-64) who:

• Are not pregnant
• Are not on Medicare
• Make more than $15,560 a year

Important to know

• You might have to pay a fee for some health care, like seeing a specialist doctor (like a cardiologist or dermatologist) and getting certain treatments or tests.
• You will not pay more than 5 percent of your household income each year.
• There will not be copayments for:
  • Community health centers or rural health clinics
  • Emergency care
  • Regular checkups
  • Care during pregnancy
  • Pediatric care (care for children)
  • Mental health and substance use disorder treatment