Enrolled in a Medi-Cal, CHIP, or Expansion plan and want to prepare for renewal? Keep your address updated with your local county office and watch for your renewal packet by mail.
If you lose Medi-Cal coverage, you are eligible for a special enrollment period. You typically have 60 days to find a new health insurance plan from the time you lose Medi-Cal.1
Earn too much to qualify for Medi-Cal? You could qualify for an Individual & Family Health Insurance Plan as low as $0 a month.*
Medi-Cal Renewal & Redetermination: What You Need To Know
During the Public Health Emergency (PHE), nearly all Medi-Cal, Children Health Insurance Plans (CHIP), and Expansion members kept their coverage, regardless of changes in eligibility or status. Legislation signed on December 29, 2022 allowed states to begin removing ineligible members from their Medicaid programs starting April 1, 2023.
You May Lose Coverage If You No Longer Qualify For Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal renewals, also known as Medi-Cal redeterminations, have started again and millions of individuals will need to take action to keep their current Medi-Cal coverage, or, if they no longer qualify, find a new health plan that’s right for them. We can help you with your options, should you lose coverage.
Three Steps to Renew your Medi-Cal Coverage
We're here to help you prepare for your Medi-Cal renewal. Watch this video to get answers to your renewal questions, and learn how simple it can be to stay covered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medi-Cal Renewal
What Is Medi-Cal Renewal?
Medi-Cal renewal is a review completed by your local county office to check if you’re still eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. You have to renew your Medi-Cal coverage during the redetermination period to keep it. Medi-Cal renewals have restarted in all states following the end of the Public Health Emergency. Missing the deadline, not completing paperwork, or forgetting a step in the renewal process all put you at risk of losing coverage.
If you’ve had a change in income, age, or other qualifying factors since you enrolled in Medi-Cal, it’s possible you will no longer qualify. The only way to know for sure is to complete your renewal on time.
When it’s time for you to renew, you’ll get a notice telling you what to do. Be sure to follow the steps to renew before your deadline. If you have questions, call your Customer Care Center number on your insurance ID card.
What Is The Public Health Emergency Or PHE?
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Public Health Emergency (PHE) was put into place by the federal government on January 27, 2020. Prior federal law addressing the COVID-19 pandemic paused yearly state Medi-Cal renewals.
What Can I Do Now To Prepare For Medi-Cal Renewal?
Check if your local county office has your current mailing address and contact information. If you’ve moved or your contact information has changed, contact your local county office now. Important updates about your coverage come through the mail, including a notice when it’s time for you to renew. If your contact information isn’t up to date with your local county office, you may miss these notices.
Understand your health coverage options. If you’ve had major changes to your income, or household, it’s a good idea to explore other health plans now in case you lose your Medi-Cal. You may even be eligible for a low or no-cost Individual and Family health plan offered through Covered California.*
Check what coverage you may qualify for, including health insurance and other benefits like food and transportation.
If I Am Working, Can I Get Health Coverage Through My Job?
If you lose Medi-Cal coverage, but are working, you may have access to health coverage through your job. You typically have 60 days from the date you lose Medi-Cal to enroll in coverage through your job. Ask your employer about your options.
However, if you or your family members are not covered under a health plan offered through your job, Individual and Family health plans may be an option. With the new IRS rule to make health coverage more affordable, you and your family members may now be eligible to receive financial help on an Individual and Family health plan offered through Covered California.
Can I Help Another Person With Their Medi-Cal Or CHIP Renewal?
You may have the opportunity to help someone else with their Medi-Cal or CHIP renewal, including your child, a family member or a friend. Keep in mind, if you help someone else, you may be asked to show that you are a legal guardian or authorized representative.
Below are ways you can help someone navigate Medi-Cal renewal:
Check that the person’s local county office has their current mailing address and contact information. If they’ve moved or their contact information has changed, they should contact the local county office immediately to update their records.
Watch for mail about Medi-Cal renewal from the local county office. If a Medi-Cal request or renewal packet arrives from the local county office, be sure to respond by the due date.
Help them with other health coverage options if they are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal or CHIP. If they do not have access to health coverage through their job or a family member’s job, Individual and Family Marketplace insurance plans may be an option. Also, children who lose their Medi-Cal benefits may be eligible for CHIP or other programs.
How Can I Find Affordable Health Coverage If I No Longer Qualify For Medi-Cal?
When Medi-Cal renewals start, Covered California and the Department of Health Care Services will partner to transition consumers who no longer qualify for Medi-Cal into an Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant qualified health plan with an approved health plan carrier. When this happens and you’ve been transitioned to an ACA compliant qualified health plan with Anthem, be sure to follow the process to complete your enrollment for coverage with us. Or, if you’ve received information about transitioning to a health plan carrier other than Anthem and have questions, give us a call at 1-866-545-0385 to help.
How Much Does An Individual & Family Health Plan Cost?
Individual and Family health plans offered through Covered California are available to anyone who does not have health insurance, including those no longer eligible for Medi-Cal. These plans are available in Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum metal levels and offer benefits like doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, and mental health care. You also may be eligible for financial help (a subsidy) that could lower your premium (monthly payment) - or even reduce it to $0 a month.*
Open Enrollment for an Individual and Family health plan offered through Covered California runs every year from November 1 through January 31. If you no longer qualify for Medi-Cal coverage, you are eligible for a special enrollment period. You typically have 60 days from the date you lose Medi-Cal to apply for an Individual and Family health plan or to enroll in a plan through your job. 1
Yes. While you may earn too much remain eligible for Medi-Cal coverage, you may qualify for an Individual and Family health plan offered through Covered California that has a monthly premium payment as low as $0 (after your subsidy is applied).*
Along with a subsidy that can lower your monthly premium, cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) are extra savings that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs when you get medical care. If your income is within the range that qualifies you for a CSR, you must enroll in a plan in the Silver tier to receive the extra savings.
You can enroll online, or we can guide you through the application process to find an Individual and Family health plan offered through Covered California that fits your needs and budget.
Continuing Your Care With Anthem
We want to make sure you have a smooth transition from Medi-Cal to your new Anthem Individual and Family coverage plan. That's why our care team will be available to talk about any recent health issues or ongoing concerns. They will also work directly with your doctors to make sure you get the regular care and medicines you need.
You Can Feel Confident You Have Health Coverage Options
You have other healthcare plan options if you lose Medi-Cal or CHIP. We can help you make the transition and find a plan that fits your needs and your budget.
Learn More About Medi-Cal Renewal And Unwinding
Does Medi-Cal Redetermination Affect You?
Read about Medi-Cal eligibility after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
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Know More About Medi-Cal Unwinding
Be prepared for the Medi-Cal renewal process.
Understand Your Coverage Options
Medi-Cal Plans
If you need information about Medi-Cal, call the number on the back of your ID card.
Individual & Family Health Plans
If you are under 65, find low or no-cost health plans for you and your family.
If you are an employer, a producer, or healthcare provider, click below for more information.
Plans Available Through Your Job
If you’re working, ask your employer about your health plan options. If you or your family are not covered under a health plan through work, explore Individual & Family plan options.
Additional Information
Stay informed by checking these useful resources for additional information on Medi-Cal renewals and more.
1 Guidance may be issued at a later date extending the special enrollment period in some circumstances.
* Based on federal and/or state exchange requirements and subject to change. Anthem Blue Cross is a Qualified Health Plan issuer that in certain geographic areas offers some health plans with a $0 premium option (after subsidy applied) through Covered California. Anthem health plans with a $0 premium option are not available in all areas and eligibility for these plans is based on federal annual income guidelines. Call us for information because not everyone will qualify. For example, singles earning up to $21,870, and couples earning up to $29,580 may be eligible. Family income eligibility varies based on number of family members.
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