Understanding Medi-Cal Changes in 2026

Person reviewing health insurance documents

Medi-Cal will have important changes in 2026. Review the information below to learn what is changing and why it matters for you and your family. Our goal is to help you stay informed so you can keep your health care on track.

Medi-Cal Changes Timeline

December 31, 2025

LAST DAY TO ENROLL IN FULL-SCOPE MEDI-CAL IF UIS (UNSATISFACTORY IMMIGRATION STATUS)

January 1, 2026

ENROLLMENT FREEZE

Medi-Cal will stop new enrollment for adults that do not have Satisfactory Immigration Status (SIS) into full-scope Medi-Cal. If a patient loses coverage due to late renewal, they will have 3-months to re-enroll. 

July 1, 2026 (POSTPONED)

DENTAL COVERAGE CHANGES

Adults without SIS will lose full dental coverage under Medi-Cal. Emergency dental care will still be covered for everyone, and children under 19 and pregnant people are still eligible for full coverage. 

January 1, 2027

WORK REQUIREMENTS BEGIN

Medi-Cal expansion enrollees ages 19 to 64 required to report 80 hours of community engagement activities (work, community service, student enrollment) or demonstrate that they meet the requirements for a qualifying exemption (parents of children under 13, caretaker, postpartum, etc.), to maintain their coverage. 

REDETERMINATIONS EVERY 6 MONTHS

Medi-Cal expansion enrollees must re-enroll every six months, instead of annually.

RETROACTIVE COVERAGE SHORTENED

Medi-Cal expansion enrollees can only receive retroactive coverage for one month prior to application and two months prior to application for coverage for traditional enrollees.

July 1, 2027

MONTHLY PREMIUMS

Adult Medi-Cal members who do not have SIS must pay $30 per month to keep full scope Medi-Cal.

October 1, 2028

SERVICE COPAYS BEGIN

Medi-Cal expansion enrollees with incomes above 100 percent of the federal poverty level will be charged up to $35 per service. 

Medi-Cal Eligibility 2026

Satisfactory Immigration Status (SIS)Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (UIS)
Battered Immigrants (non-VAWA) exempt/met 5-year waitAsylum Applicant with Work Authorization
Citizens of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, or PalauBattered Immigrants (non-VAWA), not exempt/not met 5-year wait
Compact of Free Association (COFA)Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Recipients
Cuban/Haitian EntrantsDeferred Enforced Departure
Green Card Holders (exempt/met 5-year wait)Green Card Holders (not exempt/not met 5-year wait)
Paroled into U.S. More Than One YearParoled into U.S. Less Than One Year
Refugees and AsyleesPending Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
U Visa Holder (Crime Victim)Temporary Protected Status Holders
U.S. citizens or nationalsU Visa Applicants
Violence Against Women Act (VAQA) Self-PractitionerUndocumented adults (19+), not pregnant
Undocumented youth (<19) or pregnant individuals
Visitor/Student/Work Visa Holder

Medi-Cal 2026 Eligibility Determination Guide

Do you have SIS?

Patients must have SIS (Satisfactory Immigration Status) to qualify for full Medi-Cal benefits. Patients are considered to have UIS (Unsatisfactory Immigration Status) if they do not claim or cannot verify one of the recognized immigration statuses that qualify for federally funded full coverage Medi-Cal.

Yes
No change to your Medi-Cal coverage. You remain eligible for your current level of benefits and may newly enroll if you are not already enrolled.
No
Q2. Are you under 19 or pregnant?
Yes
No change to your Medi-Cal coverage. Patients under 19 or pregnant remain eligible and may newly enroll if they are not already covered.
No
Q3. Do you currently have Medi-Cal?
Yes
You will keep your Medi-Cal coverage if you renew, but you will lose Dental coverage in July 2026.
No
Q4. Have you recently lost Medi-Cal?
Yes
You have 90 days to renew your Medi-Cal, or you will not be eligible to sign back up.
No
Q5. Do you want to sign up for Medi-Cal?
Yes
You will have until December 31st, 2025, to newly enroll in Medi-Cal. After that, you will not be eligible to enroll.
No
Please speak with an Eligibility or Enrollment specialist to see what your options are for health insurance support.

Medi-Cal 2026 Eligibility Chart

Immigration Status “Satisfactory”
Immigration
Status (SIS)		 Able to Enroll in
Medi-Cal after
Jan 1, 2026		 Dental Benefits
Covered after
Jul 1, 2026
  • Battered Immigrants (non-VAWA),
    exempt/met 5-year wait
  • Citizens of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, or Palau
  • Compact of Free Association (COFA)
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrants
  • Green Card Holders (exempt/met 5-year wait)
  • Paroled into U.S. More Than One Year
  • Refugees and Asylees
  • U Visa Holder (Crime Victim)
  • U.S. citizens or nationals
  • Violence Against Women Act (VAQA) Self-Practitioner
 ✓ ✓ ✓
• Undocumented youth (<19) or pregnant individuals X ✓ ✓
  • Battered Immigrants (non-VAWA),
    not exempt/not met 5-year wait
  • Green Card Holders (not exempt/not met 5-year wait)
  • Paroled into U.S. Less Than One Year
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Recipients
  • U Visa Applicants
 X ✓ X
• Undocumented adults (19+), not pregnant X X X
  • Asylum Applicant with Work Authorization
  • Deferred Enforced Departure
  • Temporary Protected Status Holders
  • Visitor/Student/Work Visa Holder
  • Pending Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
 X
unless under 21		 X
unless under 21		 X

Patient Q&A: Medi-Cal Changes

Applying for these programs will not increase your risk if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) already has your address, and stopping benefits will not erase information already shared. 

Medi-Cal(except long-term care) and SNAP do not count against you in public charge decisions. If you have questions, you can talk with a public benefits or immigration lawyer before applying.

Starting January 1, 2026, adults (ages 19 and older) who do not have satisfactory immigration status will not be able to newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal. 

If you already have Medi-Cal, you can keep it as long as you renew on time and use your benefits. If you lose your coverage because of missing paperwork, you will have 90 days to fix it and stay enrolled.

Starting July 1, 2027, adults who do not have satisfactory immigrantion status will have to pay $30 per month to keep full-scope Medi-Cal. If you don’t pay, your coverage will be reduced to emergency and pregnancy-related services.

If you are able to enroll or re-enroll in Medi-Cal before the cut off on January 1, 2026, you will have access to benefits like:

  • Free or low-cost coverage for medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and more
  • Coverage for emergency services and hospitalization
  • Free transportation to and from health care appointments

Many health centers have Eligibility or Enrollment teams that can help you understand your options, complete renewals, and keep your coverage active. It’s important to renew on time and keep your contact information updated so you don’t lose your benefits.

If you lose Medi-Cal coverage or don’t qualify to newly enroll, you may be eligible for alternative coverage options, including HealthPAC and Medicare.

In case you do not have coverage and need care, many health centers offer services on a sliding fee scale proportional to your income.

Additional Resources & Sources

HealthPAC

DHCS: Medi-Cal Changes

Everyone Belongs Here

Keep Your Benefits

Similar Posts

See All of the News