Protect Your Benefits. Renew on Time.
Certain health benefits have changed starting in January 2026, but if you’re covered, it’s simple to protect your benefits. And if you have’t applied yet, you still may be eligible for emergency or full scope health coverage. In our guide below, find out how to get and stay covered. We’ll also explain how to get ready for the changes happening in July 2026 and January 2027.
If you have questions or need help, visit one of our free workshops or call an enrollment specialist at 707.254.1777. Our help is free, confidential, and open to all – even if you’re not a patient of CommuniCare+OLE yet.
Take Action Now if You Have Medi-Cal
If you are worried about your immigration status, it’s important that you renew on time. If you lose your benefits, you may no longer be able to apply for full-scope coverage.
Watch Your Mail
Check Your Contact Information
What to Expect
Medi-Cal benefits and eligibility rules have changed. Be prepared by knowing what to expect.
January 2026: Immigration status check when applying for new Medi-Cal plans
- Adults age 19 and older who do not have residency paperwork can no longer sign up for new full scope Medi-Cal plans.
- Adults can still receive emergency and/or pregnancy coverage, even without residency paperwork. will still be available to all adults who qualify for Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status.
- Full scope Medi-Cal coverage is still available for children age 18 or younger and pregnant adults who meet the income requirements, even without residency paperwork.
- Adults with legal residency and children aged 0-18 are still able to apply for full scope benefits.
January 2026: New asset limits for adults 65+ and people with disabilities
- Medi-Cal now looks at the value of what you own, including money in the bank or property, when you apply for or renew health coverage.
- Asset limits are $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional person in your household (up to 10 people).
- The home you own and live in, one vehicle, and most retirement savings will not count toward the limit.
July 2026: Dental coverage changes
- Starting in July, adults without satisfactory immigration status will lose coverage for preventative care.
- Adults with legal residency, pregnant individuals, and children aged 0-18 will keep their coverage
- Emergency coverage will remain in place for everyone regardless of immigration status.
- Affordable preventative care is available at CommuniCare+OLE through our sliding fee scale program.
January 2027: Twice-per-year renewals
- Starting January 1, 2027, renewals will happen every six months instead of every 12 months
- If your coverage stops because of late paperwork, you have 90 days to fix it and stay enrolled.
- You will stay covered if you renew on time each year, regardless of your immigration status.
✔ If you already have Medi-Cal, you will keep your coverage regardless of your immigration status, as long as you renew on time.
In-Person Workshops
Join us to learn how to get and stay covered
April 7, 2026 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Calistoga Elementary School Library
1327 Berry Street, Calistoga
April 14, 2026 | | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
CommuniCare+OLE West Fairfield
470 Chadbourne Road, Suite A, Fairfield
April 21, 2026 | | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Hansen Family Health Center
215 W Beamer Street, Woodland
July 14, 2026 | | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
CommuniCare+OLE South Napa Campus
300 Hartle Court, Napa
July 21, 2026 | | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Davis Community Clinic
2051 John Jones Road, Davis
October 13, 2026 | | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Salud Clinic
500 B Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 180, West Sacramento
October 20, 2026 | | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
CommuniCare+OLE West Fairfield
470 Chadbourne Road, Suite A, Fairfield
Enrolling in Health Benefits
We know applying for benefits can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to guide you through the process. To learn if you are eligible and how to apply, you can review our guide below or call our Enrollment Specialists to get started.
Who is eligible for Medi-Cal?
Children (0-18 years)
• Always covered, no matter their immigration status.
Pregnant people
• Get full scope Medi-Cal during pregnancy and for one year after, including pregnancy loss or miscarriage.
Adults (19 and older)
• If you are a U.S. citizen or have a qualifying immigration status, you can keep or apply for full scope Medi-Cal.
• If you do not have one of those statuses, you can keep your coverage only if you are already enrolled before 2026 and renew each year (twice per year starting in 2027)
• After that, you can still get emergency or pregnancy-related care.
Income Guidelines
You may qualify if your income is at or below 138 % of the Federal Poverty Level — about $21,600 a year for one person or $44,400 for a family of four.
Why Sign Up for Full-Scope Medi-Cal — Even if You Already Get Affordable Care
Even if you already get affordable care at CommuniCare+OLE, signing up for full-scope Medi-Cal gives you even more protection. Medi-Cal covers most types of care, like doctor and dentist visits, mental health, vision, hospital care, lab tests, and prescriptions, at little or no cost. It also works anywhere in California, not just at our health centers. That means you can use it at hospitals, pharmacies, and other doctor offices if you ever need to. Having Medi-Cal helps keep you and your family safe, protected from big medical bills, and connected to care wherever you go.
Ready to Apply?
- Call us at 707.254.1777. We’ll help you find out if you qualify and what papers you need.
- Gather a few things: Your ID, proof of income, and proof that you live in California. We'll explain what counts.
- We'll fill out the forms and help you submit them.
- Stay in touch! We'll let you know when you're approved and when it's time to renew.
Staying Enrolled
You can keep your Medi-Cal as long as you renew on time. Here’s how to make it easy:
- Check your mail. Look for a renewal letter from your county.
- Fill it out right away. You can mail it back or call for help.
- Keep your address up to date. Tell your county if you move.
- Don’t wait. If your coverage stops, you have 90 days to fix it.
- Use your Medi-Cal benefits! Going to the doctor or dentist helps show you still need coverage.
Beyond Medi-Cal: Other Ways to Stay Covered
If you don’t qualify for Medi-Cal, there are other ways to make sure you can get the care you need. We’ll help you find the best one for your situation.
Connect to Care
This is a health program for adults age 21 to 64 who do not qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare. It covers doctor visits, mental health, checkups, and prescriptions with a small copay ($5 each, up to $1,500 a year).
County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
CMSP helps low-income adults (21–64) in certain counties who are not on Medi-Cal or Medicare, with no citizenship requirement. Preventative services are free of cost, while other services are covered through an income based deductible and $5 copay.
Community Health Care Program (CHCP)
A Kaiser Permanente plan for people who cannot get other coverage because of immigration status. Open enrollment is November through January.
Covered California
If your income is too high for Medi-Cal and you have eligible immigration status, you can get private insurance with help paying for it.
Sliding Fee Scale
Getting the care you need should never feel out of reach. At CommuniCare+OLE, we are committed to making care accessible to everyone. Our sliding fee scale helps lower the cost of your visits based on what you can afford. Even if you do not have health coverage, you should not have to wait to get care. Call 1-866-268-4489 to make an appointment today.
Call our Enrollment Specialists at 707.254.1777 to see which program is right for you. Our help is free, confidential, and available to everyone.