Medi-Cal FAQ

Upcoming Medi-Cal Changes

Medi-Cal Annual Renewal Process Update

The County of Fresno Department of Social Services (DSS) would like to inform you the Medi-Cal Continuous Coverage program ended on March 31, 2023 and the yearly Medi-Cal renewal process resumed on April 1, 2023.

Medi-Cal individuals will receive the renewal form in a yellow envelope and/or request for information by mail from DSS 60 days prior to their renewal due date.  Medi-Cal individuals who receive the renewal form and/or request for additional information from DSS will be required to return the form and/or information by the specified due date.  You may return the form and/or information online, by mail, or fax.  If you have any questions about your renewals, please contact Fresno County DSS using one of the methods listed below:

       Online:  BenefitsCal.com

          Mail:   Fresno County Department of Social Services PO BOX 1912 Fresno CA 93718

          Fax:   559-600-7706

      Phone:   1-855-832-8082 Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Elimination of Asset (Property and/or Resources) Limits 

Effective January 1, 2024, the asset limits for all Non-Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medi-Cal programs, including for the Long-Term Care (LTC) and Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), will be eliminated.  Below is a list of the common Non-MAGI programs this change will apply to:

  • Aged. Blind, Disabled Federal Poverty Level Programs
  • 250 Percent Working Disabled Program (WDP)
  • Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
  • Home and Community-Based Alternative Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs
  • Medically Indigent Programs
  • Pickle
  • Disabled Adult Child
  • Disabled Widow(er)s
  • Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)

Ages 26 through 49 Adult Full Scope Medi-Cal Expansion

Beginning January 1, 2024, a new law in California will allow adults ages 26 through 49 to qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status when they meet all other Medi-Cal eligibility rules which include but are not limited to income limits and California residency.  For individuals already in receipt of limited-scope or emergency services Medi-Cal due to not meeting citizenship or immigration status, the county will automatically transition your Medi-Cal to full-scope benefits effective January 1, 2024. 

For additional information on this change visit the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) web page at www.dhcs.ca.gov. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and/or assets (property/resources).

Who Can Get Medi-Cal?

You may automatically be eligible for Medi-Cal if you receive cash assistance under one of the following programs:

  • SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Program)
  • CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
  • Refugee Assistance
  • Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program

Even if you don't receive cash assistance, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal if you are one of the following: 

  • Adult with or without children 
  • Blind or disabled
  • Diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer
  • In a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility
  • Refugee with a limited period of eligibility. Adult refugees may or may not be eligible depending upon how long they have been in the U.S.
  • Parent or caretaker relative of a child under 21

What are the Citizenship/Immigration requirements for Medi-Cal?

  • If you have satisfactory Immigration Status and all other eligibility requirements are met, you may be eligible to full-scope benefits
  • If you have a non-satisfactory Immigration Status and all other eligibility requirements are met, you may be eligible to restricted-scope benefits
  • Children and adults under the age of 26 or age 50 and older are eligible to Full-Scope Medi-Cal benefits regardless of their immigration status if all other eligibility requirements are met

What are Asset (Property/Resource) Limits?  

Asset limits, also referred to property or resource limits apply to individuals whose Medi-Cal eligibility was not based on their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).  For Non-MAGI Medi-Cal program individuals their countable property or resources must not be above the asset limits, based on the number of persons whose property is considered. See below for the asset limits based on number of individuals in your Medi-Cal household.

Number of Persons

Property Limit
1 $130,000
Each additional person up to 10 add $65,000

How Do I Make Sure I Receive Important Information On My Medi-Cal Coverage?

It is important that DSS has your current contact information to ensure your receive all pertinent information on how to maintain your benefits.  If your contact information or household circumstances have changed, please update your information as soon as possible by contacting DSS in one of the following ways:

Online:  BenefitsCal.com

   Mail:  Fresno County Department of Social Services P.O. BOX 1912 Fresno, CA 93718

    Fax:  (559) 600-7706

How Do I Apply For Medi-Cal in Fresno County?

  • Online:  BenefitsCal.com, or www.coveredca.com
  • Pick up an application:  Click here for locations
  • By Mail:  Mailing a completed application to PO Box 1912 Fresno CA 93718
  • Phone:  To request an application by mail, contact the Fresno County Department of Social Services at 1-855-832-8082.  

 

 

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