What is the new name for Medi-Cal?

Editorial team Published on

Medi-Cal does not have a new name and is still called Medi-Cal.

It remains California's version of the federal Medicaid program providing free or low-cost health coverage to eligible residents.

What is Medi-Cal called now in California?

Medi-Cal is still called Medi-Cal in California.

The name has not changed. It remains California's official Medicaid program that gives free or low-cost health care to eligible residents.

Sometimes people confuse Medi-Cal with:

  • Medicaid: The federal program. Medi-Cal is just California's specific name for it.
  • Covered California: The state's official health insurance marketplace. Covered California is where people buy private health plans, but it uses the same application form to check if you qualify for Medi-Cal.
  • CalAIM: A major multi-year initiative by the state to transform and improve Medi-Cal, but it is not a replacement name for the program itself.

You can learn more or check your eligibility on the Official Medi-Cal Website.

What are the changes to Medi-Cal in 2026?

Key changes to Medi-Cal in 2026 include the reinstatement of asset limits, an enrollment freeze for certain groups, and upcoming federal adjustments to immigration status classifications. You can track ongoing program updates directly through the California Department of Health Care Services portal.

Major Medi-Cal Changes in 2026

  • Reinstatement of Asset Limits: Starting January 1, 2026, California brought back property and asset limits for adults aged 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, and long-term care applicants. Countable asset limits are capped at $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a married couple (with additional allowances for dependents).
  • Full-Scope Enrollment Freeze: As of January 1, 2026, new enrollments for full-scope Medi-Cal are frozen for undocumented adults ages 19 and older without satisfactory federal immigration status (restricted mostly to emergency and pregnancy services). Individuals already enrolled prior to 2026 keep coverage if they renew on time.
  • Federal Immigration Classifications: Beginning October 2026, federal updates alter how certain immigration statuses are classified. While some federally funded full-scope benefits are affected, impacted individuals transition temporarily to state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal through June 30, 2027.

Is Trump cutting Medi-Cal?

President Donald Trump's 2025 tax and budget legislation enacted federal cuts to Medicaid, which is leading to significant funding reductions and new restrictions for California's Medi-Cal program.

Impact on Medi-Cal

  • Funding Reductions: Federal legislation is projected to cut Medicaid spending by roughly $1 trillion nationally over a decade, translating to an estimated loss of around $30 billion per year for Medi-Cal in California.
  • Work and Eligibility Rules: The changes impose new 80-hour monthly work or community engagement requirements, more frequent six-month verification rules, and reduced retroactive coverage limits.
  • Coverage Loss: Policy analysts and state reports (such as those from CalMatters) estimate that millions of residents could lose coverage or face stricter qualification limits due to these federal shifts and related administrative changes.
  • Immigrant Eligibility: Federal rules have narrowed full-scope Medicaid definitions for certain non-citizens, though state adjustments have attempted temporary stopgap coverage for some impacted groups.

Further administrative actions by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continue to roll out rules that expand these federal cuts.

What is the maximum income to qualify for Medi-Cal?

The maximum income to qualify for standard adult Medi-Cal is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is about $21,597 per year ($1,799.75 per month) for a single person.

Income Limits by Household Size

For most adults aged 19 to 64, the yearly income limits at 138% FPL are:

  • 1 person: $21,597 per year
  • 2 people: $29,187 per year
  • 3 people: $36,777 per year
  • 4 people: $44,367 per year
  • Each additional person: Add $7,590 per year

You can view the full official breakdown on the Department of Health Care Services Eligibility Chart.

Higher Limits for Specific Groups

Income caps change depending on age and life situation:

  • Children (Ages 0–19): Qualify with household income up to 266% FPL (e.g., $41,629 for a single-person/child household).
  • Pregnant Individuals: Qualify with income up to 213% FPL.
  • Aged (65+), Blind, or Disabled: Often use different rules (like the Aged & Disabled FPL or SSI limits), where individual limits may vary or allow higher thresholds with a "Share of Cost" (similar to a deductible).

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How much money can you have in the bank and still qualify for Medi-Cal?

The rules depend on which type of Medi-Cal program you are applying for, as California reinstated asset limits for certain groups:

  • No Asset Limit: For MAGI Medi-Cal (which covers most low-income adults under 65, children, and pregnant women), there is no asset limit. You can have any amount of money in the bank as long as you meet the program's household income requirements.
  • $130,000 Limit: For Non-MAGI Medi-Cal (which covers adults aged 65+, individuals with disabilities, and long-term care or nursing home residents), the countable asset limit is $130,000 for a single person.

Current Non-MAGI Asset Thresholds

If you are in a category that requires an asset test, the total value of your countable assets (including bank accounts, cash, and investments) must be below these thresholds:

Household SizeReinstated Asset Limit
1 Person$130,000
2 People (Couples)$195,000
Each Additional MemberAdd $65,000 per person (up to 10 people max)

Note: According to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), these specific thresholds will remain in effect until June 30, 2027, at which point the state is scheduled to lower the limits.

What Counts vs. What Is Exempt

When checking your bank accounts, Medi-Cal only looks at "countable" assets. Many major assets do not count toward your limit:

  • Exempt Assets (Do Not Count): Your primary home (the home you live in), one vehicle, personal household goods, and certain retirement accounts (like IRAs/401ks if they are actively distributing periodic payments). Money saved in a state-approved CalABLE account is also entirely exempt up to $529,000.
  • Countable Assets (Do Count): Checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), cash on hand, second homes, and secondary vehicles.

If you are applying for or renewing long-term care Medi-Cal and your bank accounts put you over the limit, it is highly recommended to speak with an elder law attorney or a certified Medi-Cal planner. They can help guide you through legal "spend-down" strategies or look-back rules regarding asset transfers.

Is California Medicaid the same as Medi-Cal?

Yes, Medi-Cal is California’s official name for the federal Medicaid program.

How They Relate

  • The Same Program: Medi-Cal is not a separate system. It is simply California's specific implementation of the nationwide Medicaid program.
  • Shared Funding: The program is jointly funded by the federal government and the state of California.
  • State Rules: While it follows broad federal guidelines, California manages its own specific rules for enrollment, coverage benefits, and eligibility.

What Medi-Cal Covers

  • Core Health Services: Includes doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and mental health care.
  • Extra Benefits: Often includes dental and vision care, which vary compared to other states' Medicaid programs.
  • Application: You can check your eligibility or apply through the Covered California portal.

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal 2026 for seniors?

For seniors (65+) in California in 2026, the baseline monthly income limit for a zero-cost-share Medi-Cal program (Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level Program) is $1,836 for an individual and $2,490 for a couple.

📊 2026 Medi-Cal Senior Income & Asset Limits

  • ✅ Individual Income Limit (A&D FPL): $1,836 per month
  • ✅ Couple Income Limit (A&D FPL): $2,490 per month
  • ✅ Asset Limit (Single): $130,000
  • ✅ Asset Limit (Couple): $195,000

💡 Understanding Your Options

  • 📌 Categorically Needy (A&D FPL)
    • Income below $1,836 (single) / $2,490 (couple).
    • No monthly share of cost.
  • 📌 Medically Needy (Share of Cost)
    • Income above the FPL limit.
    • Pays a calculated monthly "Share of Cost" threshold before full coverage kicks in.
    • High recurring medical or care facility bills often automatically satisfy this share.
  • 📌 Asset Rules
    • Primary home, one vehicle, and personal items are completely exempt from asset counts.

What will disqualify you from Medi-Cal in California?

Exceeding income limits, having excess assets (for seniors and disabled individuals), or failing to live in California will disqualify you from Medi-Cal.

Income Limits

  • Your household income must stay below specific federal poverty level guidelines.
  • Most regular programs use modified adjusted gross income.
  • Earning too much money during annual renewals ends your free or low-cost coverage.

Asset and Resource Limits

  • Seniors (age 65+) and disabled individuals face a resource limit.
  • The asset limit is $130,000 for a single person and $195,000 for a couple, with $65,000 added for each extra household member.
  • Primary homes and cars do not count toward this total.

Residency and Documentation

  • You must be a resident of California.
  • Moving out of state means you lose eligibility.
  • Failing to respond to annual renewal notices or failing to provide requested income and asset proofs will also cause a cancellation.

Immigration Status Rules

  • New enrollments for undocumented adults (ages 19 and older) were paused starting January 1, 2026.
  • Existing undocumented recipients can keep their coverage if they complete annual renewals.

Why did my Medi-Cal get discontinued?

Your Medi-Cal was likely discontinued because you missed your annual renewal paperwork, your income or household size changed, or an administrative shift occurred.

Common Reasons for Discontinuation

  • Forgot to Renew: You did not return your annual renewal packet or requested proof of income/eligibility in time.
  • Income or Asset Changes: Your household income or assets now exceed the rules for Medi-Cal. Asset rules returned for seniors and people with disabilities.
  • Shift to SSI/Social Security: Some users on Reddit agree that a "discontinued" status on the county website can happen without a letter if your case management shifted directly to Social Security while coverage remains active.
  • Clerical Errors or Outdated Address: The state or county mailed notices to an old address, or made a mistake processing your file.

What You Can Do Now

  • Check the 90-Day Rule: If it has been less than 90 days since your renewal deadline or notice date, contact your local County Medi-Cal Office immediately to submit missing forms and restore your coverage without a gap.
  • Explore Covered California: If you no longer qualify, losing Medi-Cal gives you a 60-day special enrollment window to sign up for affordable health insurance through Covered California.