Medi-Cal Renewals Happen Every Year

For many members, the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) will conduct a review of your information every 12 months, to determine if you are still eligible to receive Medi-Cal benefits and have your Medi-Cal enrollment renewed to the following year.

• Starting January 1, 2027, Medi-Cal members and people applying for Medi-Cal who are ages 19 – 64 and who do not have children under age 19 will have their eligibility checked twice a year instead of once.
• This means these members will need to renew their Medi-Cal twice a year to keep their coverage.

Though some members may be renewed automatically, some Medi-Cal beneficiaries must renew their Medi-Cal benefits each year, on time, to keep their health care coverage. If DPSS is able to confirm your income information automatically, you will be sent an approval Notice of Action (NOA) letter and a renewal packet. The forms in the packet must be filled out and returned to DPSS by the due date listed in the packet. If you have questions about renewing your health care coverage, please call DPSS. 

In the past few years, you may not have had to submit a renewal form to renew your Medi-Cal coverage. Now, you might be required to take action. If you receive a renewal packet in the mail from DPSS, be sure to complete and return it by the due date listed to keep your coverage.

You can submit your renewal information by mail, phone, in person at any DPSS office location, or online through benefitscal.com.

The renewal form has all the information Medi-Cal knows about you. Members gave most of the information in previous applications and renewals. Some of the information may come from other places Medi-Cal has access to, including:

• Social Security
• Employment Development Department

• The annual renewal month is the month in which your annual renewal is due. Typically, the annual renewal due month is the 11th month after your application month. For example, if you applied in August, your annual renewal due month is usually set to the following July. You can also determine your renewal month by calling DPSS. 
• You can find your renewal due date information online by logging in or creating an online account at https://benefitscal.com/ and linking your Medi-Cal case. The renewal due month will be listed in the your account under ‘Case Information’. You can also call DPSS at 1-866-613-3777 [Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.] (excluding holidays) to request this information.

DPSS will only ask for information that may affect your Medi-Cal coverage. They will need details and proof of any changes such as:

• Getting married or divorced
• Having a child, adopting or placing a child for adoption
• Becoming pregnant
• Changes in income
• Getting any other health coverage, like through a job or Medicare. This won't stop your Medi-Cal
• Moving to a new address or changes in household members
• Becoming disabled or experiencing a change in disability status
• Changes in how you file your income taxes, such as starting or stopping claiming someone as a tax dependent
• Changes in citizenship or immigration status
• Being incarcerated (jail, prison, etc.) or released from incarceration
• A change in American Indian or Alaska Native status
• Changes in tribal affiliation
• Updates to your name, date of birth or Social Security Number (SSN)
• Any other changes that may affect your income or household size 

If you get income, you may need to give proof. The form lists examples such as pay stubs and tax returns.

If you do not have money, you can simply complete a sworn statement to DPSS that you do not have income or money.

You are given 60 days to provide the requested information to DPSS. If the requested information is not received by the 60-day due date, Medi-Cal benefits will discontinue at the end of the renewal due month. You have up to 90 days from the discontinuation date to provide the information needed to re-establish coverage. After 90 days, you will have to submit a new Medi-Cal application. 

Some adults will no longer be able to sign up for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage based on their immigration status. Submit your renewal on time to keep your coverage. To learn more visit https://www.lacare.org/members/HR1-eligibility-benefits-changes

If your name has changed, you have moved to a different address, changed your telephone number, or need to correct any of your personal information, create or log into your BenefitsCal account to make updates or call DPSS at 1-866-613-3777 (TTY) 1-800-660-4026 [Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.] (excluding holidays).

DPSS will review your renewal and determine if you are still eligible to get Medi-Cal. If the renewal is missing something, DPSS will ask for more information and send you a notice telling you what information they need. 

If DPSS has the information they need, they will send you a notice to tell you whether or not you still qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. If you do still qualify, the letter will indicate that your Medi-Cal is renewed. If you do not still qualify, the letter will indicate when your Medi-Cal coverage ends.

You are required to report any changes in your household, such as income, if someone becomes pregnant, a new household member, and any changes to your local county office so that you can continue to receive your Medi-Cal coverage. Go to benefitscal.com or call DPSS at 1-866-613-3777 (TTY) 1-800-660-4026 Monday – Friday from [7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.] (excluding holidays) to report any changes.

Yes. It is important that you respond to county requests for updated information, including renewal packets. The county needs your latest information to renew your Medi-Cal coverage and see if you qualify for no-cost or lower cost coverage. You do not need to return the paper annual renewal form, but you must provide the necessary information requested in the form and sign the form through any of the available means indicated. 

You need to read the pre-populated information, if it is wrong, you need to make changes or updates on the renewal form. You will need to give proof when the renewal instructs you to. If you get income, you need to give proof. The renewal form lists examples, which include pay stubs and tax returns.

Go to benefitscal.com or call the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) at 1-866-613-3777(TTY) 1-800-660-4026 to update your information.

Yes. If you need help completing your renewal packet, the L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Centers (CRCs) offer in-person assistance with Medi-Cal enrollment and renewals. Call to schedule an appointment with an application assister. 

Find a CRC near you by visiting www.lacare.org/healthy-living/community-resource-centers. You can also get free, in-person enrollment and renewal assistance from these community clinics and organizations:

• Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC) member clinics provide free help with Medi-Cal enrollment and renewals throughout Los Angeles County.
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also provides free enrollment and renewal assistance through trusted community partners across Los Angeles County. Visit https://admin.publichealth.lacounty.gov/mch/choi/choi.htm to find a location near you. 

It is recommended to call the location you plan to visit to confirm availability and schedule an appointment. Appointment requirements may vary by location.

Bring the following items to your scheduled renewal assistance appointment:

• Your renewal packet (if you received one)
• Proof of identity (state issued ID card, U.S. passport, birth certificate, etc.)
• Proof of residence/address (utility bill, lease, etc.)
• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax forms, etc.)
• Proof of active Medi-Cal (BIC card, insurance card, etc.)
• Immigration documents (if applicable)

You may go to your appointments, you still have Medi-Cal coverage while the county is looking at your renewal form. Coverage will only end if you are no longer eligible. If you are no longer eligible, you will get a notice of action and it will say when your Medi-Cal will end. You can still get care until this date.

If you get a renewal form and do not complete it, your Medi-Cal will end.

• If it is less than 90 days from the date on the letter you can turn in your renewal form or missing information. DPSS will see if you still qualify for Medi-Cal, you do not need to turn in a new application.
• If it is more than 90 days after the date on the letter, you must turn in a new Medi-Cal application. 

Some adults will no longer be able to sign up for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage based on their immigration status. 

If you already have Medi-Cal, you can stay covered no matter your immigration status. You must submit your renewal on time every year and still meet Medi-Cal rules, like income requirements and living in California. 

To learn more, visit www.lacare.org/members/HR1-eligibility-benefits-changes . Submit your renewal on time to keep your coverage.

You can ask DPSS to look at your case, you should contact DPSS. If they cannot help, you can ask for a Medi-Cal Fair Hearing. You can submit an online request at: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/hearing-request or call the State Hearings Division toll free at 1-800-743-8525.

Your notice had a date of when your Medi-Cal ended. If you asked for a hearing before your Medi-Cal ended, you still have Medi-Cal coverage.

If you no longer qualify for Medi-Cal, you may be able to get health coverage through a Covered California plan and can also get financial assistance. If you qualify, DPSS will share your information and Covered California will enroll you in a quality plan. They will select a plan that gives the best value at the lowest cost, L.A. Care Covered. 

You should look out for important notices from Covered California. The envelope may say “Stay Covered with Covered California”. If you get a notice asking you to confirm your plan, you should respond right away. You will also have the option to change or cancel your plan. 

For assistance with L.A. Care Covered, you can contact L.A. Care directly at 1-855-222-4239, visit CoveredCA.com or call Covered California’s service center at 1-800-300-1506.

If you get SSI, do not have a U.S. mailing address, and are unable to change your address online, you can report your change by:

• Calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)[ Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.]
• Contacting your local Social Security Office

If you get SSI, Social Security will process your Medi-Cal renewal. If you have questions, call 1-800-772-1213, or contact your local Social Security office.

Medi-Cal will never ask for money to turn in a renewal. If you get a call asking for money to complete your renewal, you can report it to the Medi-Cal fraud hotline at 1-800-822-6222.

As of January 1, 2026, when you apply for or renew your Medi-Cal, the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) will look at what you own. This is called an asset check. Assets are things you own that have value. 

You may be affected if you:

• Are age 65 and older and meet the household income limit for Medi-Cal.
• Have a disability (physical, mental, or developmental).
• Live in a nursing home.
• Are in a family that makes too much money to qualify under federal tax rules. 

The most you can own (asset limit) is $130,000 for one person. You can add $65,000 for every extra person in your family. The maximum is 10 people. 
Assets that count include:

• Bank accounts
• Cash
• More than one house or vehicle 

Assets that don't count include:

• The home you live in
• One vehicle
• Household items
• Some savings, like retirement accounts 

The income rules for Medi-Cal have not changed.

If you already have Medi-Cal, you can stay covered no matter your immigration status as long as you complete your annual renewal. 

To keep your Medi-Cal, you must:

• Fill out your renewal form every year
• Still meet the Medi-Cal rules (like income and living in California)

Use your benefits and renew on time. If you don’t, your Medi-Cal could end. If your Medi-Cal ends because of a late renewal or missing paperwork, you will have 90 days to fix the problem and keep your coverage.

If you miss that 90-day window, you won’t be able to get full-scope Medi-Cal again. You can only apply for restricted Medi-Cal, which covers:

• Emergency care
• Pregnancy-related care
• Nursing home care