Last Updated: September 15, 2026
What Happens After I Am Approved for Medi-Cal? (2026 Guide)
Getting approved for Medi-Cal is an important first step, but many new members are not sure what happens next.
When can you start using Medi-Cal? When will you receive your Medi-Cal card? Do you need to choose a health plan? How do you select a doctor?
This guide explains what usually happens after your Medi-Cal application is approved and what you should do next.
If you are new to the program and want to understand the basics first, see our Beginner's Guide to Medi-Cal .
After you are approved for Medi-Cal, you can begin using your Medi-Cal benefits. You will receive a Benefits Identification Card (BIC), and depending on where you live and your eligibility, you may also need to enroll in a Medi-Cal Managed Care health plan and choose a Primary Care Provider (PCP).
1. Read Your Medi-Cal Approval Notice
After your eligibility is determined, you should receive an official notice explaining the decision about your Medi-Cal coverage.
This is commonly called a Notice of Action.
Your notice contains important information about your Medi-Cal eligibility. Read it carefully and keep it with your records.
Do not throw away letters from Medi-Cal or your county just because you have already been approved. You may receive additional information about your BIC, health plan enrollment, renewal, or requests for information.
2. When Does Your Medi-Cal Coverage Begin?
Once you are approved, you can begin using your Medi-Cal benefits.
According to DHCS, once Medi-Cal eligibility is confirmed, coverage generally begins on the first day of the month in which you applied.
Your individual eligibility dates are important, so check your Notice of Action or contact your county if you are unsure about your effective date.
3. You Will Receive a Medi-Cal BIC
New Medi-Cal beneficiaries receive a Benefits Identification Card (BIC).
Your BIC identifies you as a Medi-Cal member. Doctors, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals, and other providers may use information from the card when providing and billing for Medi-Cal-covered services.
Keep your BIC in a safe place and bring it with you when you receive health care.
Contact your local county Medi-Cal office if your BIC does not arrive, is lost, is stolen, or contains incorrect information.
4. Your BIC Is Not Necessarily Your Health Plan Card
This is one of the most common sources of confusion for new Medi-Cal members.
Your Medi-Cal BIC and your Medi-Cal health plan membership card are not necessarily the same card.
The BIC is issued for your Medi-Cal coverage.
If you enroll in a Medi-Cal Managed Care health plan, that health plan may send you a separate member ID card.
Once you receive a health plan membership card, keep both your Medi-Cal BIC and your health plan ID card. A medical office, pharmacy, or other provider may ask for your coverage information.
5. What Happens Before You Join a Health Plan?
When you first qualify for Medi-Cal, you may initially receive your benefits through Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medi-Cal, sometimes called Regular Medi-Cal, until you are enrolled in a Managed Care health plan.
During this period, you can receive covered services from enrolled providers who accept Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service.
Ask the medical office whether the provider accepts Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service. A provider who participates with a particular Medi-Cal Managed Care plan does not necessarily accept FFS Medi-Cal.
6. You May Need to Choose a Medi-Cal Health Plan
Most Medi-Cal members receive health care through a Medi-Cal Managed Care health plan.
Your health plan choices depend primarily on the county where you live and, in some situations, whether you have Medicare or other coverage.
If your county has more than one available Medi-Cal health plan and you are required to enroll, you may receive a Medi-Cal Managed Care Choice Packet explaining your options.
7. You May Have 30 Days to Choose Your Health Plan
Depending on your county, you may need to choose a Medi-Cal health plan within 30 days.
If you are required to choose a plan and do not make a selection within the required time, Medi-Cal may choose a health plan for you.
In counties where there is only one applicable health plan option, you may be automatically enrolled instead of having to choose among multiple plans.
If you receive a Medi-Cal health plan enrollment packet, review it as soon as possible. Choosing your own plan gives you an opportunity to check which plan includes the doctors, clinics, hospitals, and other providers you prefer.
8. Compare Health Plans Before You Choose
If you have more than one health plan available, do not choose based only on the plan name.
Before selecting a plan, consider checking:
- Whether your current doctor is in the plan's network
- Which hospitals and medical groups participate
- Which specialists are available
- Whether nearby clinics participate
- Language services
- Transportation and other member services
- Whether your preferred pharmacy arrangements work with your coverage
Provider networks can change, so it is a good idea to confirm directly with both the health plan and the provider before making your final choice.
9. How Do You Enroll in a Medi-Cal Health Plan?
If you need to select a health plan, Medi-Cal Health Care Options (HCO) can help with enrollment.
You can review available plans using the DHCS Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory.
You can also contact Medi-Cal Health Care Options:
- Phone: 1-800-430-4263
- TTY: 1-800-430-7077
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You may also enroll online through the Medi-Cal Health Care Options website.
10. Your Health Plan Will Send You a Welcome Packet
After you are enrolled in a Medi-Cal Managed Care plan, the health plan will generally send you information about your coverage.
Your plan materials may include:
- Your health plan member ID card
- Member Services contact information
- Information about your Primary Care Provider (PCP)
- Instructions for finding doctors and specialists
- Information about covered services
- Information about referrals and prior authorization
- A member handbook or instructions for accessing it
Read your welcome materials and keep your health plan's Member Services number where you can easily find it.
11. Choose Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)
Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is the doctor or other qualified provider who handles much of your routine health care and helps coordinate your medical services.
Depending on your health plan, you may be asked to choose a PCP from the plan's provider network.
If you do not select a PCP when required, your health plan may assign one to you.
If you already have a doctor you want to keep, check whether that doctor participates in the Medi-Cal health plan you are considering and whether the doctor is accepting new patients under that plan.
If you are having trouble finding a provider, see How to Find a Doctor Who Accepts Medi-Cal .
12. Make Your First Doctor Appointment
Once your health plan enrollment is active, you can contact your PCP or another appropriate network provider to schedule care.
When making the appointment, tell the office which Medi-Cal health plan you have.
You should also confirm that the provider is currently participating in your specific plan and accepting new patients.
Bring your Medi-Cal BIC and health plan member card with you when appropriate.
Do not assume that your coverage has ended. Your eligibility may be active while the provider has outdated information or is checking the wrong health plan. See My Medi-Cal Is Active, but the Doctor Says It Is Inactive for steps you can take.
13. What About Specialists?
If you are enrolled in a Managed Care plan, your PCP often helps coordinate your medical care.
Some specialist services may require a referral from your PCP or authorization from your health plan.
However, referral and authorization requirements depend on the type of service and your plan's rules.
Ask your PCP or health plan Member Services if you are unsure whether a referral or prior authorization is required.
14. What If You Need a Prescription?
Prescription drug coverage for Medi-Cal members is generally administered through Medi-Cal Rx.
When filling a prescription, provide the pharmacy with your Medi-Cal information and any other health coverage information you have.
If you have questions about whether a medication is covered or whether authorization is required, your pharmacy, prescribing provider, or Medi-Cal Rx can help.
Medi-Cal also covers many other types of health care. For an overview, see What Does Medi-Cal Cover in California? 2026 Benefits Guide .
15. What If Your BIC Does Not Arrive?
If you were approved but did not receive your BIC, contact your local county Medi-Cal office.
You should also contact the county if your card:
- Is lost
- Is stolen
- Has incorrect information
- Needs to be replaced
Do not apply for Medi-Cal again simply because your card did not arrive. Contact the county first and ask them to check your case and BIC status.
16. What If Your Health Plan Information Does Not Arrive?
If you believe you should receive health plan enrollment information but it does not arrive, contact Medi-Cal Health Care Options or your county for assistance.
Health Care Options can help explain your available Medi-Cal Managed Care plan choices and enrollment process.
17. Keep Your Address and Contact Information Current
Medi-Cal and your county may send important notices through the mail.
If you move or your contact information changes, update your information promptly.
Important information may include:
- Renewal notices
- Requests for information
- Health plan enrollment materials
- Changes to your eligibility
- Notices about your Medi-Cal benefits
If you have moved, see Do I Need to Report an Address Change to Medi-Cal? for more information.
18. Remember Your Medi-Cal Renewal
Medi-Cal coverage must be renewed periodically.
Sometimes the county can renew your eligibility using information it already has. If additional information is needed, the county may send you a renewal form or request.
Complete any required renewal and provide requested information by the deadline.
Keeping your Medi-Cal active and completing your renewal on time is especially important because eligibility rules have changed for some members. If your coverage ends, your options for re-enrollment can depend on your individual eligibility circumstances.
For a broader explanation of important program changes, see 2026 Medi-Cal Changes Explained .
19. New Medi-Cal Member Checklist
After you are approved:
- ✓ Read and save your Notice of Action.
- ✓ Watch for your Medi-Cal BIC in the mail.
- ✓ Keep your BIC in a safe place.
- ✓ Watch for your Medi-Cal health plan enrollment information.
- ✓ Compare available health plans if you have a choice.
- ✓ Choose your health plan within the required time.
- ✓ Check whether your preferred doctors are in the plan's network.
- ✓ Watch for your health plan member ID card.
- ✓ Choose or confirm your PCP.
- ✓ Keep your address and contact information current.
- ✓ Read all notices from Medi-Cal, your county, and your health plan.
- ✓ Complete your Medi-Cal renewal when required.
20. Key Takeaway
After you are approved for Medi-Cal, there are several important steps to complete.
You can begin using your Medi-Cal benefits after approval, and new beneficiaries receive a Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC).
Depending on your county and eligibility, you may initially use Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal and then enroll in a Medi-Cal Managed Care health plan.
If you have a choice of health plans, compare provider networks carefully before selecting one. After enrollment, make sure you know your Primary Care Provider and keep both your Medi-Cal and health plan information available.
Most importantly, continue opening notices from Medi-Cal and your county and complete future renewals on time.
Official Sources & Resources
- California DHCS – Use Your Medi-Cal
- California DHCS – Medi-Cal Help Center
- California DHCS – Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory
- California DHCS – Medi-Cal Managed Care FAQs
- Medi-Cal Health Care Options
- California DHCS – Find a County Medi-Cal Office
Disclaimer: California Benefits Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal Health Care Options, a county Medi-Cal office, or any other government agency.
Medi-Cal eligibility rules, health plan options, provider networks, enrollment procedures, benefits, and other program requirements may change. This article provides general information only and is not an official eligibility determination or legal advice. Always verify your individual coverage and enrollment information with DHCS, Medi-Cal Health Care Options, your Medi-Cal health plan, or your local county Medi-Cal office.