Qualified Non-Citizens

Important Medi-Cal Changes for Some Qualified Non-Citizens

Changes to Medi-Cal eligibility for certain Qualified Non-Citizens will take effect on October 1, 2026. Learn more about these changes, how they may affect coverage, and what individuals should know.

What is Changing?

Effective October 1, 2026, House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1) will change which Qualified Non-Citizens will remain eligible for federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal.

Who is Affected?

The following Qualified Non-Citizen groups will no longer be eligible for federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal, effective October 1, 2026:

Refugees
Asylees
Humanitarian Parolees
Conditional Entrants
Lawful Permanent Residents with under 5 years of residency without an exemption
Non-Citizen Survivors of Domestic Violence or Trafficking Victims

However, California residents affected by the change in federal funding will continue to receive state funded full-scope Medi-Cal benefits.

Additional Changes

Starting January 1, 2027, the way affected Qualified Non-Citizens receive Medi-Cal services will change. Affected Qualified Non-Citizens will receive their Medi-Cal health care services through Medi-Cal Fee-For-Service instead of a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan.

Fee-For-Service means that health services are provided by a doctor who accepts regular Medi-Cal directly and does not require a Medi-Cal managed care plan.

Members must present their Medi-Cal card, also known as the Benefits Identification Card (BIC) when receiving health services.

Health services received through Fee-For-Service Medi-Cal are not coordinated by a health plan; instead, the doctor bills Medi-Cal directly. However, these services remain fully covered by Medi-Cal at no cost to you.

If your current doctor does not accept Fee-For-Service Medi-Cal, you will need to switch to a medical provider who does not require a Medi-Cal managed care plan and who bills Medi-Cal directly.

Fee-For-Service Medi-Cal still covers the following services:

Doctor visits and regular check-ups
Emergency and urgent care
Pregnancy care and birth control
Medicine, medical supplies and medical tests
Dental care, vision care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids
Mental health care
Foot care
Alcohol and drug-use treatment
Rides to the doctor and to pick up medicine
In-home help to remain safely at home

Action Required

Read and respond to all mail received from DPSS and the California Department of Health Care Services.
Submit requested information and complete renewals on time to maintain coverage.

DPSS is Here to Help

Go to the DPSS YouTube Channel to see our informative presentations.

Additional Resources

For more information click below.