Starting January 1, 2026, adults 19 and older who have unsatisfactory immigration status will no longer be able to apply for Medi-Cal.
If you are already enrolled before January 1, 2026, you can keep your coverage as long as you stay active and renew on time.
What You Need To Do Now
Renew On Time!
- You only have a 90-day grace period to complete your renewal once it’s due. If you miss the deadline:
- You’ll lose your Medi-Cal coverage.
- And you won’t be able to reapply if you fall under the restricted immigration category.
- Find out when your Medi-Cal renewal is due by calling the Medi-Cal Renewal line at (424) 405-5909 or (888) 999-7671.
How to Stay Covered:
- Keep your contact information updated so you don’t miss important notices.
- Watch your mail and respond to renewal packets or letters from your health plan or local county office.
- Know your renewal date so you can go online or work with Bienestar to renew your Medi-Cal if you do not receive notifications.
- Keep going to the doctor and other medical appointments.
- Visit the DHCS website for updates.
Do you qualify for Medi-Cal? You may be eligible for Medi-Cal if:
- Your annual income is at or below $20,783 for an individual
- You are pregnant
- You are blind or disabled
- You are already enrolled in Cal-Fresh, Cal-WORKs, SSI/SSP, Refugee Assistance, or Foster Care/Adoption Assistance Program
There are other circumstances where people qualify for Medi-Cal. Please talk to one of our enrollment specialists to see if you qualify. BIENESTAR also offers services for cash payment on a sliding fee discount.
Enrollment Assistance
Our dedicated enrollment specialists are here to simplify the insurance process for both current and prospective patients. We will help you complete the paperwork accurately and efficiently from start to finish. We are here to answer any questions you may have and ensure a simple enrollment experience.
Documents to Bring
To make sure you are ready for your Insurance Enrollment Appointment, please bring the following documentation to avoid delays with your application:
You will only need to provide proof of identity when you first apply, if you change your name, or for new household members, like a spouse or new baby.
- Confirmation of Identity
- Any of the following are accepted:
- California I.D./Driver’s License
- Residency Photo I.D.
- S. Passport, Consular of home country
- Employment Authorization I.D.
- Permanent Resident Card
- Birth certificates and social security numbers for children
- Documents to Confirm Household Income
- Any of the following documents are accepted:
- Last two consecutive pay stubs (last 30 days)
- Most recent tax return (1040)
- Unemployment or Disability benefits stubs or statements
- Social security or veteran’s benefits stubs or award letter
- Letter of Affidavit from employer, organization stating gross earnings or employment status
Our enrollment team is here to help with checking your eligibility, submitting new Medi-Cal applications or renewals. We speak English and Spanish.
