Medi-Cal FAQ

Upcoming Medi-Cal Program Changes

Dental Coverage Changes for undocumented members 19 years of age and older receiving full scope Medi-Cal

For individuals who were enrolled in full scope Medi-Cal on or prior to December 31, 2025, beginning July 1, 2026, your Medi-Cal coverage will no longer include dental coverage.  Emergency dental care such as treatment for severe pain or infection and tooth extractions will still be covered after the dental coverage loss.

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 who are California residents with limited income.

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 Cash Assistance (RCA)
• 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?

All individuals who meet all other Medi-Cal eligibility requirements may be eligible to full-scope benefits, regardless of citizenship or immigration status until December 31, 2025. 

On or after January 1, 2026, when an individual is not a United States Citizen or does not meet Satisfactory Immigration Status (SIS) but meets all other Medi-Cal requirements, they will be granted restricted (emergency or pregnancy services) Medi-Cal.    

What are Asset (Property/Resource) Limits?  

Individuals requesting any of the Non-Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medi-Cal programs, listed below, must meet the asset (property/resource) limits.

• Aged. Blind, Disabled (ABD) Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Programs
• 250 Percent Working Disabled Program (WDP)
• Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
• Home and Community-Based Alternative Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs
• Medically Needy Programs
• Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)
• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
• Qualified Working Disabled Individual (QWDI)
• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

Assets include but are not limited to bank accounts, cash, second house, second vehicle, bonds, stocks, boats, trailers and land.  The asset limits are based on the number of individuals in your Medi-Cal household.

How do I Access Services for Child Health and Disability Preventions?

Medi-Cal households can obtain services for periodic child health assessments, referrals to other providers, care coordination and assistance with medical appointment scheduling, transportation, and access to diagnostic and treatment from their selected Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (Anthem Blue Cross, CalVIVA, or Kaiser). 

For assistance, the managed care plans can be contacted by phone at the designated numbers below:

• Anthem Blue Cross  (800) 407-4627 TTY/TDD 711
• CalVIVA Health (888) 893-1569 TTY/TDD (800) 431-0964
• Kaiser Permanente (855) 839-7613 English; (800) 788-0616 Spanish; (800) 757-7585 Chinese Dialects; TTY/TDD 711

For Medi-Cal members currently in receipt of Fee-for-service Medi-Cal (no managed care plan), for assistance with finding a provider for periodic child health assessments or referrals you may contact the Department of Health Care Services Medi-Cal Member Help Line at 1-800-541-5555 or online at www.dhcs.ca.gov/myMedi-Cal.  If you are interested in obtaining the enhanced services offered only by the managed care plans, such as care coordination and transportation to medical appointments, you may contact Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263 to enroll into a managed care plan.

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 you 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