Last Updated: September 1, 2026
20 Common Medi-Cal Questions Answered: California 2026 FAQ Guide
Medi-Cal can be confusing, especially if you are applying for the first time, renewing coverage, choosing a health plan, or trying to understand what services are covered.
This guide answers 20 common Medi-Cal questions for California residents and links to more detailed guides when available.
Medi-Cal rules can differ depending on age, income, disability, pregnancy, Medicare status, immigration status, household size, and the eligibility category that applies to you. Do not assume one rule applies to every Medi-Cal member.
1. What Is Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. It provides free or low-cost health coverage to eligible California residents.
Eligibility may be based on income, age, pregnancy, disability, Medicare status, household circumstances, or another Medi-Cal eligibility category.
2. Who Qualifies for Medi-Cal?
You may qualify for Medi-Cal if you live in California and meet the rules for a Medi-Cal eligibility category.
People who may qualify include:
- Adults who meet applicable income requirements
- Children and teenagers
- Pregnant individuals
- Adults age 65 or older
- People with disabilities
- People who receive SSI
- Some Medicare beneficiaries
- People who need long-term care
Different income, asset, and other eligibility rules may apply to different groups.
3. Is Medi-Cal Free?
For many Medi-Cal members, covered services have little or no out-of-pocket cost.
However, some people may have a Share of Cost, premiums in certain programs, or other limited expenses depending on their eligibility category and coverage.
4. What Services Does Medi-Cal Cover?
Full-scope Medi-Cal covers a broad range of medically necessary services, including:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Emergency services
- Prescription medications
- Preventive care
- Mental health services
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Laboratory and diagnostic services
- Pregnancy and maternity care
- Dental services
- Vision services
- Transportation to covered Medi-Cal services
- Long-term services and supports for eligible members
Restricted-scope Medi-Cal provides fewer benefits than full-scope Medi-Cal. Coverage can also depend on medical necessity, age, eligibility category, and the Medi-Cal system responsible for the service.
5. How Do I Apply for Medi-Cal?
You can apply for Medi-Cal:
- Online through BenefitsCal
- By mail
- By phone
- In person at your county Medi-Cal office
Medi-Cal applications can be submitted year-round. You do not need to wait for an annual open enrollment period.
6. How Long Does Medi-Cal Approval Take?
Processing times vary depending on the application and whether additional information is needed.
Many Medi-Cal applications are generally expected to be processed within about 45 days. Applications that require a disability determination can take longer.
Respond quickly if your county asks for additional documents or verification.
7. Can I Keep My Current Doctor?
Possibly. It depends on whether your doctor accepts Medi-Cal and participates in your Medi-Cal health plan's provider network.
Before choosing a health plan, it is a good idea to ask your doctor's office which Medi-Cal plans they currently accept.
8. What If My Income Changes?
Report changes in income and other important household information to your county Medi-Cal office.
DHCS generally requires changes such as income, address, household size, pregnancy, and marital status to be reported within 10 days.
Your county will review the change and tell you whether your Medi-Cal eligibility or coverage will be affected.
9. How Do I Renew My Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal eligibility is reviewed at least once a year.
Sometimes the county can renew your Medi-Cal automatically using information it already has. If additional information is needed, the county will send you a renewal form.
You can generally provide renewal information online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If you submit a paper renewal form, make sure it is signed.
10. What Happens If I Miss My Renewal?
Your Medi-Cal may end if you do not provide requested renewal information by the deadline.
However, if your coverage ends because required information was missing, DHCS says you generally have 90 days to provide the missing information without submitting a brand-new application.
If you provide the information within that period and still qualify, your Medi-Cal may be reinstated without a gap in coverage.
Contact your county as soon as possible if you receive a Notice of Action saying your Medi-Cal is ending.
11. How Do I Replace My Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC)?
If your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card is lost, stolen, damaged, or never received, contact your county Medi-Cal office for help requesting a replacement.
You may also be able to manage Medi-Cal information through BenefitsCal, depending on your county and account.
12. Can I Have Both Medicare and Medi-Cal?
Yes. A person who qualifies for both Medicare and Medi-Cal is commonly called dual eligible.
Medicare generally pays first for Medicare-covered services. Medi-Cal may provide additional help with certain Medicare costs and may cover services Medicare does not fully cover.
Some people may also qualify for a Medicare Savings Program such as QMB or SLMB, which can help with Medicare premiums and certain other costs.
13. What Is a Medi-Cal Health Plan?
Most Medi-Cal members receive much of their medical care through a Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan.
The health plan works with doctors, hospitals, specialists, and other providers to coordinate your care.
Some benefits, such as most outpatient prescription drugs, dental care, and certain behavioral health services, may be provided through a different Medi-Cal system rather than directly through your health plan.
14. Can I Change My Medi-Cal Health Plan?
In counties where more than one Medi-Cal health plan is available, members may be able to choose or change plans.
When you first qualify for Medi-Cal, you may temporarily receive Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal. Depending on the county, you may need to choose a health plan within 30 days. If you do not choose one, Medi-Cal may select a plan for you.
In some counties, members are automatically enrolled because only one plan or another automatic enrollment rule applies.
1-800-430-4263
TTY: 1-800-430-7077
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
15. What If My Medi-Cal Application Is Denied?
Read your Notice of Action carefully. It should explain why your Medi-Cal application was denied or why your coverage changed.
Depending on the situation, you may be able to:
- Submit missing information
- Ask the county to review an error
- Request a State Hearing if you disagree with the decision
Pay close attention to deadlines listed on your Notice of Action.
16. Do I Need to Report Moving to a New Address?
Yes. DHCS says address changes should generally be reported within 10 days.
Keeping your address, phone number, and email current helps make sure you receive renewal notices, Notices of Action, and other important Medi-Cal information.
If you permanently move to another California county, your Medi-Cal case may be transferred through an Inter-County Transfer (ICT). Your Medi-Cal health plan may also need to change because health plan options vary by county.
17. Can Immigrants Get Medi-Cal?
Yes, many immigrants can qualify for Medi-Cal, but the rules depend on age, immigration status, eligibility category, and whether the person was already enrolled before the 2026 changes.
Beginning January 1, 2026, some adults age 19 and older who do not have a qualifying immigration status can no longer newly enroll in state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal.
However:
- Existing full-scope members can generally remain covered if they stay eligible and renew on time.
- Children under age 19 can still qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status if otherwise eligible.
- Pregnant people can continue to qualify regardless of immigration status during pregnancy and for one year after the pregnancy ends.
- Certain former foster youth under age 26 are also protected.
- Affected new adult applicants may still qualify for restricted-scope Medi-Cal.
Do not assume that being a non-U.S. citizen automatically limits you to restricted-scope Medi-Cal. Many lawful immigration categories can still qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal.
18. What Is Share of Cost?
A Medi-Cal Share of Cost is similar to a monthly medical spending requirement for certain Medi-Cal members.
You generally must incur enough allowable medical expenses to meet your Share of Cost before Medi-Cal begins paying for covered services for the remainder of that month.
Not every Medi-Cal member has a Share of Cost.
19. Does Medi-Cal Cover Dental Care?
Yes. Eligible Medi-Cal members can receive dental benefits through Medi-Cal Dental or a Dental Managed Care Plan, depending on where they live and how their dental coverage is provided.
Covered services can include:
- Dental exams
- X-rays
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Root canals
- Dentures
- Other covered dental treatment
Coverage can depend on the service, medical necessity, age, and the member's Medi-Cal eligibility category.
20. Where Can I Get Help With Medi-Cal?
You can get Medi-Cal help from several sources.
- Your local county Medi-Cal office
- Your Medi-Cal health plan's Member Services department
- Medi-Cal Health Care Options for health plan enrollment questions
- Medi-Cal Rx for outpatient prescription drug questions
- Medi-Cal Dental for dental questions
- Community enrollment counselors
- Legal aid organizations for certain eligibility, appeal, or health coverage problems
1-800-541-5555
Official Medi-Cal Resources
- California DHCS — Medi-Cal
- DHCS — Medi-Cal Help
- DHCS — Keep Your Medi-Cal
- DHCS — Medi-Cal Health Plan Directory
- Medi-Cal Health Care Options
- BenefitsCal
California Benefits Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of California, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal, any county agency, or any Medi-Cal health plan. This guide is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal, medical, tax, or official Medi-Cal eligibility advice. Medi-Cal rules, benefits, income standards, eligibility requirements, and health plan options may change. Always verify current information with DHCS, your county Medi-Cal office, or the appropriate government agency.