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Medi-Cal Policy Change

Starting January 1, 2026, depending on your immigration status, if you lose your Medi-Cal and have to reapply, you’ll lose access to primary care, preventive care, and specialist services that come with full-scope Medi-Cal.

 

Children (18 and under) will continue to receive full scope Medi-Cal, if eligible, regardless of immigration status.

 

Learn more at iehp.org/UIS.

Overview

With recent changes to federal policy, we want to make sure you’re informed about how your health care coverage may be affected. From data sharing to premium updates, we cover many key topics in this FAQ.

 

We’ll update this page as soon as we get any new information. Your health, safety and privacy are our priority, so please reach out to us if you have any questions. We’re here to support you as best we can.

 

Updated: December 8, 2025

Member eligibility and use of benefits

No. Members — including those with UIS — currently enrolled in Medi-Cal can continue using their benefits if they remain eligible and complete their renewal.

No. Using health services — including physical, behavioral, or preventive care — does not impact a member’s immigration status or immigration case. These services are here for your health and well-being. You can safely access the care you need.

It is important not to postpone any health care needs. If you are concerned for your safety, options exist to see a doctor or nurse telephonically. Please contact member services to learn more.

 

Here are a few remote care options:

  • Many providers offer telehealth visits (phone or video).
  • Prescriptions may be delivered by mail at no extra cost.
  • You can call IEHP’s 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line at 1-888-244-4347 (TTY: 711) to get medical advice and help deciding on next steps.
  • You can dial 211 for local resources, including food, housing, mental health support, financial assistance, and more. It is multi-lingual and confidential.
  • For 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 (available 24/7)
  • For Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA’s) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY 1-800-487-4889. Find confidential, free, 24/7 help in English and Spanish.

  • 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 your local county Medi-Cal office to renew your Medi-Cal if you do not receive notifications.
  • Keep going to the doctor and other medical appointments.
  • Visit https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/ and follow their social media channels for updates.

Budget changes – what’s coming

Effective January 1, 2026:

 Starting January 1, 2026, adults (aged 19 and older) with unsatisfactory immigration status (UIS) will no longer be able to newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal. However:

  • Current enrollees may stay covered if they complete their renewal on time.
  • If current enrollees lose coverage, they may not be able to re-enroll, except for emergency or pregnancy-related services.

Adults aged 19 and older with UIS, including, but not limited to:

  • Green card holders not exempt from the five-year waiting period, who have had their permanent resident status for less than five years.
  • Persons Permanently Residing Under Color of Law (PRUCOL) (e.g., persons with temporary protected status, refugee status, deferred action).
  • People with no immigration status, but who currently qualify under past Medi-Cal expansions.
  • People enrolled through a trafficking or crime victim assistance program.
  • Lawfully present immigrants who are older than age 20 and not pregnant.

No. Children (under 19) and pregnant individuals can continue enrolling in full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status.

Yes. For members 65+ or those with disabilities, asset limits will return during eligibility reviews and annual renewals.

 

  • The asset limit is $130,000 for one person (+$65,000 for each additional household member up to 10 members pers household).
  • Some assets don’t count, like the home you live in, one vehicle, household items, and certain savings, like retirement accounts.
Effective July 1, 2026:

Yes. Adult members (19+) with UIS will no longer receive full dental coverage. However:

  • Emergency dental care (pain, infection, extractions) will still be covered.
  • Pregnant members will continue to receive full dental care during pregnancy and up to one year after it ends.
Effective January 1, 2027:

Yes, there will be new federal work and community engagement requirements to maintain Medi-Cal coverage for adults aged 19-64 enrolled in Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion. This includes parents or caregivers of dependent children 14 and above.

 

Individuals must complete at least 80 hours per month of one or more of the following qualifying activities:

  • Employment, earning at least $580/month
  • Community service
  • Education, enrolled at least half-time
  • Participation in an approved work program
  • Or a combination of the above

 

More details will be addressed in future policy guidance.

Yes, Medi-Cal eligibility will need to be checked every six months for adults enrolled under the ACA expansion, instead of once a year. This change does not apply to tribal members, pregnant individuals or children. The process will follow the same steps as current annual renewals.

Effective July 1, 2027:

Yes. Certain adult Medi-Cal members with UIS (ages 19–59) will need to pay a $30 monthly premium to keep their full-scope Medi-Cal. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Green card holders not exempt from the five-year waiting period, who have had their permanent resident status for less than five years.
  • PRUCOL (e.g., with temporary protected status or refugee status).
  • People with no immigration status, but who currently qualify under past Medi-Cal expansions.
  • People enrolled through a trafficking or crime victim assistance program.
  • Lawfully present immigrants who are older than age 20 and not pregnant.

 

If premiums are not paid, coverage will be reduced to emergency and pregnancy-only services.

Privacy and data sharing

Recent federal policy changes mean that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may use information from Medi-Cal enrollment data for immigration enforcement purposes.

 

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required by federal law to submit Medi-Cal enrollment information to the federal government. IEHP does not control or authorize this data sharing, and we remain committed to protecting our members’ privacy to the fullest extent allowed by law.

No. IEHP does not share any member information with immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE or Border Patrol. Member privacy is very important to us.

Each month, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submits Medi-Cal enrollment information to the federal government, as required by law. This data sharing is happening at the federal level and is not controlled or authorized by IEHP or the State of California.

Doctors, specialists, and health plans like IEHP are required by law to protect your personal health information, which may include your immigration status if it is part of your medical record. In general, IEHP does not share this information with immigration authorities or law enforcement.

 

There are very limited situations where the law may require IEHP to share certain information, such as if we receive a valid court order. In those rare cases, we follow all privacy laws and only provide the information required by law.

 

If you have concerns about your privacy or how your information is used, please contact IEHP Member Services for more information. Please note that we are unable to provide specific legal advice.

IEHP has publicly stated that we do not support the sharing of health information with immigration authorities. We’re working with state agencies and community partners to advocate for member privacy and transparency. Our top priority remains helping members feel safe accessing the care they need.

Other questions and guidance

You can cancel your Medi-Cal at any time. However, we encourage you to talk to a trusted legal advisor first. Canceling your coverage may leave you without care – including access to prescriptions, chronic condition management, and emergency care.

 

Free, confidential legal help is available at:

Some IEHP providers offer in-home services, like visits from home health nurses or care teams, but you should always feel safe and informed before any visit is scheduled.

If someone contacts you unexpectedly or makes you uncomfortable in any way:

  • Do not let them into your home.
  • Do not share personal information.
  • Call IEHP right away to verify if the person is a real IEHP provider or partner.