Medi-Cal Eligibility Changes Coming January 1st

Starting on January 1st, 2026 changes to how Medi-Cal eligibility is determined will occur. To help prepare ICMS and participants for these changes, we will be sharing important information and updates as the new year approaches.

Download the infomative tip sheet in English and Español

Starting January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will freeze new enrollments for certain adults who are undocumented and do not have a satisfactory immigration status for federal full scope Medi-Cal. This group will no longer be able to newly enroll in full scope Medi-Cal, even if they qualified before under state-funded programs.


Who could be affected:

Californians:

• Aged 19 and older, and
• Who are not pregnant, and
• Who are undocumented, and
• Who qualified for full scope Medi-Cal because of the state-funded Adult Expansions.
  

KEY INFORMATION:

• If you are already enrolled in full scope Medi-Cal, you will stay covered no matter your immigration status as long as you complete your annual renewal. Make sure to renew if you want to maintain eligibility for your Medi-Cal benefits!
• If you are part of this group and lose your coverage, you won’t be able to sign up again—except for emergency and pregnancy care.
• If your coverage stops because of a late renewal or missing paperwork, you will have 90 days to fix it and stay enrolled.
• Income-eligible children (0-18) and pregnant people can enroll in full scope Medi-Cal, no matter their immigration status. Coverage is for the entire pregnancy and one year after the pregnancy ends.


Source: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Pages/medi-cal-changes.aspx