California Benefits Guide

🇺🇸 English 🇰🇷 한국어 Last Updated: September 1, 2026 How to Renew Medi-Cal in California: 2026 Renewal Guide If you already have Medi-Cal, keeping your coverage is just as important as applying for it. Medi-Cal members generally have their eligibility reviewed at least once a year. In many cases, your county may be able to renew your coverage automatically using information it already has. In other cases, you may receive a renewal form asking you to confirm or update your information. This guide explains how the Medi-Cal renewal process works in California in 2026, how to complete a renewal, what information you may need, what happens if you miss the deadline, and what changes you should report during the year. Quick Answer: You may not have to complete a renewal form every year. Your county will first review available information. If it can confirm that you still qualify, your Medi-Cal may be renewed automatically. If more informat...

🇺🇸 English 🇰🇷 한국어 Last Updated: September 1, 2026 What Is FPL? 2026 Federal Poverty Level Guide and Calculator FPL stands for Federal Poverty Level , commonly referring to the Federal Poverty Guidelines issued each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These income guidelines are used by many health coverage and public benefit programs to determine financial eligibility. Quick Answer: Your FPL percentage compares your household income with the federal poverty guideline for your household size. For example, 138% FPL means income equal to 138% of the applicable poverty guideline. What Is the 2026 Federal Poverty Level? For 2026, the Federal Poverty Guidelines for California and the other 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia are: Household Size 100% FPL Annual 100% FPL Monthly 1 $15,960 $1,330 2 $21,640 $1,804 3 $27,320 $2,277 4 $33,000 $2,750 5 $38,680 ...

🇺🇸 English 🇰🇷 한국어 Last Updated: September 2, 2026 Find Your California Medi-Cal County Office: Phone Numbers and Local Help (2026) Most Medi-Cal eligibility questions are handled by your local County Medi-Cal Office. Your County can help with applications, renewals, income or household changes, missing documents, Benefits Identification Cards, eligibility notices, and many other Medi-Cal case questions. Quick Answer: The easiest way to find the current phone number and address for your County Medi-Cal Office is to use the official DHCS Medi-Cal County Office Locator . You can search by County name or ZIP Code. Find Your Medi-Cal County Office California has 58 counties, and each County has a local agency that handles most Medi-Cal eligibility cases. DHCS provides an official County Office Locator where you can search using: Your County name Your ZIP Code Your current location, if location services are enabled The l...

🇺🇸 English 🇰🇷 한국어 Last Updated: September 1, 2026 How to Choose or Change Your Medi-Cal Health Plan in California: 2026 Guide After you are approved for Medi-Cal, you may need to choose a Medi-Cal health plan depending on the county where you live. A Medi-Cal health plan is a managed care plan that helps organize your medical care and gives you access to a network of doctors, clinics, hospitals, specialists, and other healthcare providers. Quick Answer: When you first qualify for Medi-Cal, you are generally covered through Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service. Depending on your county, you may need to choose a Medi-Cal health plan within 30 days. If you do not choose one, Medi-Cal may assign a plan to you. In some counties, members are automatically enrolled in a plan. Step 1: Find Out Whether You Need to Choose a Health Plan After you qualify for Medi-Cal, you may receive information from Medi-Cal or Health Care Options explaining your man...

🇺🇸 English 🇰🇷 한국어 Last Updated: September 4, 2026 Medi-Cal vs. Covered California: What’s the Difference? 2026 Guide Medi-Cal and Covered California are often mentioned together, which can make them seem like the same program. They are not. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program for eligible people who meet income and other program requirements. Covered California is California's official health insurance marketplace, where individuals and families can purchase private health insurance and may qualify for financial help. Quick Answer: If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you may receive free or low-cost public health coverage. If you do not qualify for Medi-Cal, you may be able to purchase a private health plan through Covered California, sometimes with financial assistance that lowers your premium and other costs. Medi-Cal vs. Covered California at a Glance Feature Medi-Cal Covered California...

🇺🇸 English 🇰🇷 한국어 🇪🇸 Español 최종 업데이트: 2026년 8월 29일 2026년 Medi-Cal 변경사항 총정리: 캘리포니아 주민이 꼭 알아야 할 내용 캘리포니아의 Medi-Cal에는 2026년에 여러 가지 중요한 변화가 있었습니다. 일부 변경사항은 누가 새롭게 full-scope Medi-Cal에 가입할 수 있는지에 영향을 주고, 다른 변경사항은 특정 Medi-Cal 신청자와 가입자의 자산 기준에 영향을 줍니다. 또한 Medi-Cal 치과 혜택 변경 일정도 달라졌습니다. 원래 2026년에 시행될 예정이었던 일부 치과 혜택 변경은 현재 2027년 7월 1일 로 연기되었습니다. 간단 요약: 2026년 1월 1일부터 일부 성인은 이민 신분과 관련된 규정 때문에 새롭게 full-scope Medi-Cal에 가입할 수 없게 되었습니다. 하지만 이미 해당 full-scope Medi-Cal에 가입되어 있던 사람은 계속 자격을 충족하고 갱신을 제때 하면 일반적으로 혜택을 유지할 수 있습니다. 또한 2026년 1월 1일부터 일부 Medi-Cal 프로그램에서 자산 기준이 다시 적용되기 시작했습니다. 1. 2026년 1월 1일부터 일부 성인의 신규 Full-Scope Medi-Cal 가입이 제한되었습니다 2026년 1월 1일부터 캘리포니아의 일부 19세 이상 성인은 이민 신분과 관련된 규정으로 인해 새롭게 full-scope Medi-Cal에 가입할 수 없게 되었습니다. 이 변경은 일반적으로 연방 자금 지원 full-scope Medi-Cal 자격에 필요한 이민 신분 요건을 충족하지 않으면서, 이전에는 캘리포니아주의 state-funded 성인 확대 프로그램을 통해 full-scope Medi-Cal을 받을 수 있었던 일부 성인에게 영향을 줍니다. 중요: 이 변경이 2026년에 모든 이민자 성인의 Medi-C...