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Medi-Cal for You
Medi-Cal is available to individuals who meet eligibility requirements. Already have Medi-Cal? Your benefits may have expanded, or you may need to renew your coverage. Renew your Medi-Cal on time to keep your coverage.
Medi-Cal Changes in 2026:
Starting January 1, 2026
Medi-Cal Enrollment Freeze: Adults 19 years or older who do not meet satisfactory immigration status and not pregnant will no longer qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal.
If you fit the criteria above and are already covered for full-scope Medi-Cal, you will stay covered as long as you complete your renewal on time.
If your coverage stops due to late renewal or missing paperwork, you will have 90 days to fix it, or you will lose coverage.
If you lose coverage, you will not be able to sign up for full-scope Medi-Cal again and you will only qualify for restricted-scope Medi-Cal.
Asset Limits: Assets will be reviewed when you apply for or renew your Medi-Cal for individuals who are:
- Age 65 and older
- Disabled
- In need of Long-Term Care
Asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional family member, up to 10 family members.
Reportable assets include money in bank accounts, investments, more than one house or car.
Starting July 1, 2026
Dental Changes: Full-scope dental benefits will no longer be provided to adult Medi-Cal members 19 years and older who do not meet satisfactory immigration status.
You may still get emergency dental care for serious tooth pain, infections and tooth extractions.
You will continue to get full-scope dental if you are pregnant, or if you are a former foster youth under the age of 26 who was in foster care on your 18th birthday.
If you need help understanding these changes, call the AltaMed Medi-Cal Support Line:
(323) 300-3400
Apply for Medi-Cal
Even if you have previously been denied, you could be eligible now:
Restricted-scope Medi-Cal covers:
- Emergency care
- Pregnancy-related services
- Nursing home care
Full Scope Medi-Cal covers things like:
- Medical and specialty care
- Dental and vision care
- Mental health
- Medications
- Family planning and maternity care
- Emergency care
- And more
We’re here to help! To learn more about the benefits of Medi-Cal and how to enroll, or for assistance with verifying your provider, call the AltaMed Medi-Cal Assistance Hotline at (323) 300-3400.
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AltaMed is here to help. Fill out our form and an AltaMed representative will reach out and guide you through the process.
Have A Representative Call You On Your Time
Steps to Renew Medi-Cal Online
The following are the steps required to renew your Medi-Cal coverage on BenefitsCal.com. Please be sure you created a BenefitsCal account and also linked your Medi-Cal information to your BenefitsCal account.
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Renewing is easy, get started today.
Learn more through our video and follow the three easy steps below to get started on renewing your coverage.
| Update your contact information with the Medi-Cal office. Make sure they have your correct address, phone number, and email. |
|---|---|
| Look for the yellow envelope with your renewal packet. |
| Complete your Medi-Cal renewal form and submit right away. |
Medi-Cal will never ask you for financial information, nor require payment in the application or renewal process.
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Step 1: Setup BenefitsCal Account
This video shows you how to setup your
BenefitsCal.com account.
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Step 2: Link Medi-Cal info to BenefitsCal
This video shows you how to link your Medi-
Cal information to your BenefitsCal account.
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Step 3: Update your Contact Information
This video shows you how to update your
contact information.
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Renew Medi-Cal Online
This video walks you through the steps required to
renew your Medi-Cal coverage on BenefitsCal.com
Documents Needed
Please make a note of the following documents, as they may be required during the renewal process:
- Renewal Packet (Yellow Envelope)
- Proof of California Residency (Driver's License, California ID Card, or current letter mailed to your address)
- Resident Alien Registration Cards or other residency documents (if not a U.S. citizen)
- If naturalized: Citizen Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. passport
- Paycheck Stubs (current or prior months) or income tax return
For more extensive list of the documents that may be accepted, please view the following guidance.
List of Accepted Documents
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Additional Resources
You can visit the following links for additional help and information specific for your county and health plan. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services also has a BenefitsCal Guide, which has written instructions on the Medi-Cal renewal process.
Medi-Cal Changes FAQs
(Last Updated: December 17, 2025)
This summer, both the state and federal government passed bills that include changes to Medicaid and Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). The changes will take effect over the next several years. For most Medi-Cal members, eligibility and benefits will stay the same, but some people may see changes in their eligibility and/or coverage. Some people may need to take additional steps to remain enrolled such as making sure they complete their annual renewals.
FAQs
Full Scope Medi-Cal offers coverage of these health services and more:
Medical care
Medicine your doctor orders
Specialty care
Mental health care
Family planning and maternity care
Emergency care
Tests ordered by your doctor
Medical supplies
Alcohol and drug use treatment
Dental care
Transportation to doctor and dental visits and to get prescriptions
In-home care and supports to help avoid nursing home care
Full scope Medi-Cal is different from the restricted Medi-Cal you may have now. Restricted Medi-Cal only covers emergency services. It does not cover things like medical or dental care.
- A review of Medi-Cal member’s information every 12 months.
- Determines continued eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.
When Applying for Medi-Cal:
Call our Medi-Cal Assistance Hotline at (323) 300-3400 for help and more information on the application process.
Please contact us upon receiving your Medi-Cal Choice Packet so we can assist you with choosing your health plan and provider.
When Renewing Medi-Cal Coverage:
Update your contact information with the Medi-Cal office. Make sure they have your correct address, phone number, and email.
Look for the yellow envelope in the mail with your renewal packet.
Complete your Medi-Cal renewal form and submit it right away.
Call the Medi-Cal Assistance Hotline at (323) 300-3400 for help.
The following documents will be required during the application process:
Proof of identity (e.g. driver's license, birth certificate, social security card)
Proof of income (e.g., pay stubs, tax returns)
Proof of residency/proof of address (e.g., utility bills, rental agreement)
Proof of pregnancy (e.g., if pregnant)
Other relevant documents (e.g., medical records for those with disabilities)
- Annual renewal month is typically 12 months after approval date.
- So for example, if you received coverage in June of 2022, you will need to renew by the end of June 2023.
- A renewal packet will be sent 60 days before it is due.
- Those whose renewal is due at the end of June 2023 will be receiving their packets throughout April 2023. If your renewal is due in July, you will receive your packet in May.
- 60 days to provide requested information to your local department of Social Services (DPSS for LA County and OCSSA for Orange County).
- Benefits are discontinued if no application was received by the renewal date stated in your renewal packet.
- We strongly suggest you update your contact information online at Benefitscal.com.
- You can also update by:
- Mail: Return the application in the envelop received.
- Call your local county office – Los Angeles County (866) 613-3777. In Orange County (800) 281-9799
- In-Person: Visit your local Medi-Cal office
- It may take 24–48 hours for your renewal to show up on your dashboard after having linked your Medi-Cal case to your BenefitsCal account.
- If you have not received any correspondence in the mail about your Medi-Cal benefits, update your contact information.
You can do the following:
- Create Online account (Fastest and easiest way) at benefitscal.com and complete online form.
- By mail: Return your completed packet with all necessary documentation.
- In-Person: Visit your local Medi-Cal office or through an appointment with an AltaMed Patient Care Coordinator at clinic.
- Call your local county office: Los Angeles County (866) 613-3777 & in Orange County (800) 281-9799
- Changes can be reported in the Medi-Cal Renewal Form. You will have the opportunity to report if you had a change in income, pregnancy, new household member, and other areas that are considered for continued eligibility.
- Changes can also be reported to the local county office – Los Angeles County at (866) 613-3777 and Orange County at (800) 281-9799.
- Your local county will send you a letter to let you know if you still qualify for Medi-Cal coverage.
- If additional information is needed to renew your coverage, the county will send you a letter requesting any missing information.
- It is important that you stay up to date with notifications from the county (either by mail or online) to provide any requested information until receiving confirmation of your coverage status.
- AltaMed teams are ready to assist. You can make an appointment with a Patient Care Coordinator to renew your Medi-Cal.
- Bilingual staff and agencies across Los Angeles and Orange Counties can also provide Medi-Cal renewal assistance. View a list of available agencies.
- AltaMed has also scheduled workshops to assist you in filling out your Medi-Cal renewal packet. For in-person assistance with completing your Medi-Cal renewal packet, please call (323)300-3400 to schedule an appointment.
- You can also visit the KeepMediCalCoverage.com website for more information and sign up for text or email updates on Medi-Cal renewals.