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.
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 managed care choices.
The number of health plans available and the way you enroll depend on the county where you live.
Some counties offer more than one Medi-Cal health plan, while other counties may automatically enroll members in a specific plan.
If you are required to choose a plan, you generally have 30 days to make your selection. If you do not choose within that period, Medi-Cal may select a health plan for you.
Check Medi-Cal health plans by county:
DHCS – Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory
Step 2: Compare the Health Plans
If you have more than one health plan to choose from, do not make your decision based only on the plan name.
The doctors, hospitals, clinics, and specialists in each plan's network can be more important for your everyday healthcare.
Before choosing a plan, check:
- Does your current doctor accept the plan?
- Is your preferred hospital or clinic in the network?
- Are the specialists you need available nearby?
- Are nearby providers accepting new patients?
- Does the plan offer services in your preferred language?
- Is customer service easy to reach?
If keeping your current doctor is important, contact both the doctor's office and the health plan before enrolling. Provider networks can change.
Step 3: Choose a Primary Care Provider (PCP)
A Primary Care Provider (PCP) is usually the doctor or clinic that provides your routine medical care.
Your PCP may help with:
- Routine checkups and preventive care
- Treatment for common illnesses
- Management of ongoing health conditions
- Referrals to specialists when needed
- Coordination of your overall healthcare
When choosing a PCP, check whether the provider is accepting new patients, participates in your Medi-Cal health plan, is conveniently located, and offers services in your preferred language if needed.
Step 4: Submit Your Health Plan Choice
If you are required to choose a health plan, you can enroll through Medi-Cal Health Care Options (HCO).
You may be able to choose your plan:
- Online through Medi-Cal Health Care Options
- By calling Health Care Options
- By completing and mailing the Choice Form provided with your enrollment materials
Phone: 1-800-430-4263
TTY: 1-800-430-7077
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Online:
Medi-Cal Health Care Options
What Happens if You Do Not Choose a Health Plan?
If you live in a county where you are required to choose a Medi-Cal managed care plan and you do not make a selection within the required period, Medi-Cal may assign a health plan to you.
In some counties, however, members are automatically enrolled in a health plan and do not need to make an initial choice.
If you are automatically enrolled, watch for a welcome packet from your Medi-Cal health plan. It will usually include information about your coverage, providers, member services, and how to select or change a PCP.
Can You Change Your Medi-Cal Health Plan?
If your county has another Medi-Cal health plan available to you, you may be able to change from your current plan to another plan.
Common reasons people consider changing plans include:
- Your current doctor does not accept your health plan.
- Your preferred hospital is not in the network.
- You need access to different specialists or providers.
- You moved to another area or county.
- Another available plan may better meet your healthcare needs.
Contact Health Care Options or use the HCO website to find out which plans are available to you and whether you can request a change.
When Does the New Health Plan Start?
A health plan change does not necessarily take effect immediately.
Continue using your current coverage until you receive confirmation showing the effective date of your new Medi-Cal health plan.
Check whether your doctor, hospital, specialists, and other providers participate in the new plan. If you are receiving ongoing treatment, ask whether your care can continue without interruption.
What Happens if You Move to Another County?
Medi-Cal health plan choices vary by county. If you permanently move to another California county, the health plans available at your new address may be different.
First report your new address to Medi-Cal. When appropriate, your Medi-Cal case can be transferred to your new county through the Inter-County Transfer process.
After the transfer, you may need to enroll in a Medi-Cal health plan available in your new county.
Moving to another county can affect both your Medi-Cal case and your managed care health plan. Make sure your address is updated before assuming your current plan will continue at the new location.
What if You Have Both Medicare and Medi-Cal?
Health plan enrollment may work differently if you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal.
DHCS explains that your Medi-Cal health plan choices can depend partly on whether you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. If your Medicare Advantage plan has a matching Medi-Cal health plan in your county, you may be enrolled in the matching Medi-Cal plan.
California also offers Medi-Medi Plans for eligible people who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal.
A Medi-Medi Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage plan designed to coordinate Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits in one plan. In 2026, Medi-Medi Plans are available in 41 California counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Keep My Current Doctor?
Maybe. It depends on whether your doctor participates in the Medi-Cal health plan you choose and whether the provider is accepting patients under that plan.
It is a good idea to contact both the doctor's office and the health plan before making your final choice.
Will I Lose Medi-Cal if I Do Not Choose a Health Plan?
Generally, not choosing a health plan does not by itself cancel your Medi-Cal eligibility. If you are required to choose and do not make a selection, Medi-Cal may assign a plan to you.
Can I Change My Medi-Cal Health Plan Later?
In many situations, yes, if another Medi-Cal health plan is available to you in your county. Contact Health Care Options to check your current choices and the effective date of a requested change.
Does Changing Health Plans Affect My Medi-Cal Eligibility?
Changing from one available Medi-Cal managed care plan to another generally does not determine whether you qualify for Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal eligibility and managed care plan enrollment are separate issues.
Should I Check My Prescriptions Before Choosing a Plan?
Many outpatient prescription drug benefits for Medi-Cal members are provided through Medi-Cal Rx rather than directly through the managed care plan. However, your individual medication and pharmacy situation can vary, so check with Medi-Cal Rx or your health plan if you have questions about a specific prescription.
How Do I Know Which Health Plans Are Available in My County?
Use the official DHCS Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory. Select your county to see the current health plan options available in your area.
Official Resources
- DHCS – Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory
- DHCS – Medi-Cal Managed Care Frequently Asked Questions
- Medi-Cal Health Care Options
- DHCS – Medi-Medi Plans
California Benefits Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of California, DHCS, Medi-Cal Health Care Options, or any Medi-Cal health plan. This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not provide an official Medi-Cal eligibility determination, medical advice, or legal advice. Health plan availability, provider networks, and enrollment procedures can vary by county and individual situation. Always verify current information with DHCS or Medi-Cal Health Care Options before making a health plan decision.