Recent program changes will affect Medi-Cal members with unsatisfactory immigration status (UIS). Starting January 1, 2027, you will no longer get your care through IEHP, but you will not lose your Medi-Cal.
To learn more about immigration status and Medi-Cal, visit the DHCS website.
If you lose your Medi-Cal and need to reapply, you might not get full benefits again if you have UIS. This means you could lose access to regular doctor visits, checkups and specialist care.
Starting January 1, 2027, some members will get their care through Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service (FFS) instead of IEHP. This changes how you get care, not whether you can keep Medi-Cal.
Who this applies to:
Visit Immigration Status and Medi-Cal Changes to see if this applies to you.
You should contact your local county Medi-Cal office. The county may request documentation and will decide whether you can remain enrolled in a Medi-Cal health plan.
No. FFS describes how Medi-Cal pays doctors and other providers. It does not mean that you will pay a fee or copay.
Yes. You must renew on time and respond to county requests to keep coverage. You should make sure the county has the correct:
Yes, if the provider is enrolled in Medi-Cal FFS, accepts FFS and agrees to continue seeing the member. Being in the IEHP network does not confirm this. Search DHCS Find Care by location, provider or specialty. The list may be incomplete, so call the provider office to confirm participation and availability.
If no provider can be confirmed, contact the Medi-Cal Helpline at 1-800-541-5555.
Only if the provider takes FFS. It is important that you verify this before your appointment.
Search DHCS Find Care by location, provider or specialty. The list may be incomplete, so call the office to confirm participation and availability.
If no provider can be confirmed, contact the Medi-Cal Helpline at 1-800-541-5555.
No. DHCS will not issue a new Benefits Identification Card (BIC). Starting Jan. 1, 2027, you should take the existing Medi-Cal BIC to medical, dental and pharmacy visits. Lost or damaged BIC can be replaced through the county or your BenefitsCal account.
An IEHP approval does not automatically become an FFS approval. An FFS provider may need to submit a new Treatment Authorization Request. DHCS has a special handling process when the same IEHP authorization is on file.
IEHP will support treatment through Dec. 31, 2026. You may continue with the same provider in 2027 only if that provider is enrolled in and accepts Medi-Cal FFS. If not, you may need another provider. Ongoing treatment and high-risk cases require care coordination before the transition.
Contact IEHP Member Services to connect with a care manager or provider before Dec. 31, 2026 to discuss transition planning and possible alternatives.
If you remain eligible, you keep covered, medically necessary Medi-Cal services. These include doctor and hospital care, laboratory services, prescriptions, vision, behavioral health care, transportation and durable medical equipment when coverage requirements are met. It also includes Doula care and Community Health Worker support.
Enhanced Care Management, California Integrated Care Management, Community Supports, Complex Care Management and Transitional Care Services end after Dec. 31, 2026 for affected members. Community Supports include medically tailored meals and some housing-related services.
The Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy benefit will continue. Most prescription coverage will stay the same. You should tell a new Fee-for-Service doctor which medicines you take and request needed refills before the transition. For questions about pharmacy, call Medi-Cal Rx at 1-800-977-2273.
Some supplies billed as medical claims, such as tracheostomy supplies, wound care supplies, catheters and incontinence supplies, will be billed to Medi-Cal FFS instead of IEHP.
You can keep equipment you own. Rented equipment may require a new FFS approval to continue starting Jan. 1, 2027.
You may still qualify for Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) or Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), but FFS uses its own forms and requirements. NEMT requires a new prescription from an FFS provider after the transition. To learn more, visit DHCS’s Transportation Services page.
County specialty mental health services and Drug Medi-Cal or Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System services will continue through the county.
Non-specialty mental health services, such as therapy, counseling, medication follow-up and psychological testing, will be available through enrolled Medi-Cal FFS providers.
No. Dental care is administered separately from IEHP. For more information, contact the Medi-Cal Dental Telephone Service Center at 1-800-322-6384.
Yes. Vision services are covered through Medi-Cal FFS. You must use a vision provider who accepts Medi-Cal FFS and must meet Medi-Cal coverage rules.
Children enrolled in CCS will keep their CCS benefits. Non-CCS care will move to Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service. ECM and Community Supports will end because they are only offered through managed care .
If you are enrolled in these services, you will continue to receive them.
You will no longer receive care through IEHP beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Medicare coverage will remain separate from Medi-Cal FFS.
For care received before Jan. 1, 2027, you should call IEHP. For care on or after Jan. 1, 2027, you should call the Medi-Cal Helpline at 1-800-541-5555 and ask whether the bill is valid before paying the bill.
For an IEHP service or action before the transition, contact IEHP Member Services. For a Medi-Cal FFS benefit or service, you may contact DHCS at 1-916-345-8980.
If no provider is available, call the Medi-Cal Helpline. For an active or high-risk course of treatment before Dec. 31, 2026, contact IEHP Member Services. After the transition, you may seek help from the Medi-Cal Ombudsman or file a DHCS complaint.
