How to get Medi-Cal or low-cost care in California

What Medi-Cal is and who it covers

Medi-Cal is the name California uses for Medicaid, and a state office called DHCS runs it. The state says the program serves people with low incomes. That includes families with children, older adults, people with disabilities and pregnant women. It also covers people with certain illnesses, such as tuberculosis or HIV.

Covered California is a different program. It is the state's Marketplace, which is the place where you shop for private plans. The two programs share one application, and your income decides which one you qualify for. Our guide on whether Medi-Cal is the same as Medicaid explains the names.

Most adults qualify when household income is up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. That level is a yearly dollar amount the government uses to measure poverty. Children can qualify with income up to 266 percent of that level. A family can be split, with the children on Medi-Cal and the parents on a private plan.

Four ways to apply for Medi-Cal

DHCS lists four ways to apply. The first is online through BenefitsCal, which is the state benefits website. The second is to apply through Covered California, and the third is a paper form in your language that you print and mail. The fourth way is to call or visit your county office. The DHCS website has a Find Office link with the phone number and address for each county.

You can apply at any time of year. Private plans work in a different way. You can sign up only during open enrollment or after a big life event, such as losing other coverage. The Covered California phone number is (800) 300-1506. It is open Monday through Friday, from 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

Free help is available if you want it. A local certified enroller is a trained helper who can go over the forms with you. First-time applicants can also ask for a free callback. Our guide on how to apply for Medicaid lists the papers to gather.

Medi-Cal changes in 2026 and 2027

DHCS lists several changes that come from a 2025 federal law. Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19 to 64 must meet a new rule. Parents and caregivers of a child 13 or younger are exempt. They must work, volunteer, go to school or join a training program. People are exempt if they are pregnant, have a disability or have a serious health problem.

Starting March 1, 2027, some adults ages 19 to 64 will renew every six months. Right now, most people renew once a year. DHCS warns that missing a deadline could end your coverage. Update your address and phone number with your county so you get every notice.

Also on January 1, 2027, adults ages 19 to 64 without children get one month of retroactive coverage. That means the program can pay bills from before your application date. All other members get up to two months. Our guide on the Medicaid work rule explains the federal basics.

Some changes for immigrants have already started. Since January 1, 2026, some adults can no longer sign up for full-scope Medi-Cal, which means coverage for all services, because of their immigration status. People who already had full-scope coverage can keep it if they renew on time. On October 1, 2026, a federal change took effect for some refugees, asylees and other immigrants. DHCS says they keep full Medi-Cal paid for by the state until June 30, 2027. After that date, DHCS says this group can get only pregnancy-related care and emergency services. If this may affect you, call your county office or a local legal aid group.

If your income is too high for Medi-Cal

If you do not qualify for Medi-Cal, Covered California is where you shop for a private plan. Open enrollment for the next coverage year begins on November 1. Our guide on health insurance without a job explains the special sign-up window after a job change.

Clinics that charge by income

The California Primary Care Association says it speaks for more than 2,300 not-for-profit community health centers and clinics in the state. It says these centers work to lower barriers such as poverty and a lack of insurance.

Health centers that get federal money adjust their fees by income and family size, and they serve everyone who walks in. A free federal tool called Find a Health Center shows the nearest ones when you enter your zip code. Call the clinic first and ask what you should bring to a first visit.

How to check a California doctor's license

The Medical Board of California has a public search called Licensee Profile. You can look up a doctor by name or license number. You can also search by city or county. Osteopathic doctors, who hold a D.O. degree, get their license from a different group. That group is the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.

The Medical Board says its staff will never call and demand payment. If you get a call like that, hang up and report it to the board at (800) 633-2322.

Cash-pay doctors and emergencies in California

Our directory lists cash-pay doctors by location, and some of them charge a flat monthly fee for primary care. Read any membership agreement closely and ask what it covers.

If your life is in danger, call 911 or go straight to an emergency room. Federal law says any hospital with an emergency room must check you and treat you until you are stable, with or without Medi-Cal. If a bill comes, our guide to hospital financial assistance shows how to ask for help.