Medi-Cal & Health Coverage Options

Health Care Coverage Information: ENG | ESP

Medi-Cal Renewal Scam Alert

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.

Alerta de Estafas de Medi-Cal Renovación

El Departamento de Servicios de Atención Médica (DHCS, por sus siglas en inglés) ha recibido informes que hay estafadores y personas haciéndose pasar por representantes de Medi-Cal y que están pidiendo tarifa/pago por ayudar a personas con su solicitud o renovación de solicitud de Medi-Cal. El Condado de Contra Costa y el estado de California nunca requiere pago por ayudarles con la solicitud o renovación de Medi-Cal. Por favor, estén al pendiente ante posibles estafas, y cualquier estafa potencial o conocida, reporten por correo electrónico al [email protected].

Medi-Cal Expansion Freeze

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

WHO THIS APPLIES TO:

You may be affected if:
  • You are undocumented (you live in the U.S. without legal permission), or
  • You are a lawfully present immigrant who is 19 or older and not pregnant

IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
  • If you already have Medi-Cal, you can stay covered no matter your immigration status.
  • To keep your Medi-Cal, you must:
  • Fill out your renewal form every year
  • Still meet the Medi-Cal rules (like income and living in California)
    • Renew your Medi-Cal on time, if you don’t, your Medi-Cal could end.
    • If your Medi-Cal ends, you have 90 days to fix the problem and keep your coverage.
    If you miss that 90-day window, you won’t be able to get full-scope Medi-Cal again. You can only apply for restricted Medi-Cal, which covers:
    • Emergency care
    • Pregnancy-related care
    • Nursing home care
    Who can still get full-scope Medi-Cal:
    • Children under 19
    • Pregnant people
    • You must still meet all Medi-Cal rules, like income and living in California.
    Pregnancy coverage lasts through your entire pregnancy and up to one year after it ends.

    Asset Limit Changes Will Return in 2026

    If you apply for Medi-Cal in 2025:
    • Through December 31, 2025, Medi-Cal eligibility is based on income only.
    • You will not be asked about your assets.
    • You do not need to report any assets when you apply for or renew Medi-Cal during this time.
    If you apply for or renew Medi-Cal in 2026:
    • If you are age 65 or older, have a disability, need long-term care, or are in a family that makes too much money to qualify under federal tax rules, Medi-Cal will look at both your income and assets when you apply for or renew your coverage.
    • The asset limit is $130,000 for one person. For each additional household member, the limit increases by $65,000, up to 10 members in a household.
    • There may be higher asset limits for some married couples and registered domestic partners (ask your County office about “Spousal Impoverishment” to see if you qualify).
    • If your assets are above the limit, you may not qualify for Medi-Cal unless you lower them. Talk to your local Medi-Cal office to learn more about your options.
    NOTE: Medi-Cal’s uses asset limits to help decide if you qualify for coverage. These limits are not the same as the rules for estate recovery. To learn more, visit the Estate Recovery webpage.

    Assets
    • You are not required to report assets for Medi-Cal applications or renewals submitted through 2025.
    • Starting January 1, 2026, the following Medi-Cal members and new applicants will need to report asset information:
  • Age (older adults, 65+ years of age)
  • Disability (physical, mental, or developmental)
  • Long-term care needs
    • Are in a family that makes too much money to qualify under federal tax rules
    • Assets include:
  • Bank accounts
  • Cash
  • Property
  • Vehicles
    • Some assets don’t count, like the home you live in, one vehicle, household items, and certain savings, like retirement accounts.

    I Already Have Medi-Cal
    • You do not need to report assets during your 2025 renewal.
    • Starting in 2026, certain members’ assets will be reviewed during renewal.
    • Tools and information will be provided to help you report correctly and stay covered.

    For more information about upcoming changes to the Medi-Cal program, please visit the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website at: Medi-Cal Changes 2026-2028
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    Get help with your active Medi-Cal case
    If you are currently receiving Medi-Cal benefits, please call our service center at (866) 663-3225 for assistance. You will be able to talk to a courteous and professional representative who can take care of your Medi-Cal needs. The service center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone who answers the toll free line will help you immediately with things such as:
    • Reporting Medi-Cal changes (such as a new address, income, newborn, etc.)
    • Questions about your benefits
    • Assistance with completing forms
    Having your Medi-Cal Case Number or Social Security Number available will help the representative serve you more quickly.
    During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Medi-Cal beneficiaries have stayed enrolled in the program. If your contact information or household circumstances have changed, please update your information today by contacting us at: (866) 663-3225, BenefitsCal.com, or EHSD.org to report changes. This may help you keep your Medi-Cal coverage after the end of the COVID-19 PHE.

    Medi-Cal and Health Care Options:

    The Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) enrolls customers into an available health care option in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Staff at EHSD can enroll customers into a health care program, including Medi-Cal or subsidized health coverage plans. Subsidized or unsubsidized health coverage plans are purchased through California’s health coverage marketplace, Covered California.

    Health Coverage Options

    • EXPANDED MEDI-CAL

      Expanded Medi-Cal is also known as Modified Gross Adjusted Income (MAGI). Eligibility includes the non-disabled, non-elderly, childless adult population up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Household income will be calculated using MAGI, which is the adjusted gross income as defined on household income tax returns. There is no asset/property test for MAGI households. For more information, please visit the EHSD Health Care Website.

    • TRADITIONAL NON-EXPANDED MEDI-CAL

      The Non-Expanded Medi-Cal population includes the aged, blind, and disabled, long-term care, medically needy, and individuals deemed eligible for Medi-Cal as a result of other programs such as CalWORKs, Adoption Assistance Program, or foster care. Non-Expanded Medi-Cal eligibility will remain subject to the asset/property test.

    • PRIVATE INSURANCE FROM THE EXCHANGE PLANS

      The State’s Health Coverage Exchange, known as Covered California, will offer four different health plan levels – platinum, gold, silver or bronze.  The four levels are distinct in premium cost and benefit levels. All levels provide the minimum essential coverage required by the Affordable Care Act. Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC) are available to help offset the cost of health insurance for families whose modified adjusted gross income is under 400% FPL. The insurance companies that will be available in Contra Costa County are Blue Shield, Health Net, and Kaiser Permanente. For more information, please visit Covered California.