Medi-Cal California: What It Is, Eligibility, Income Limits, Benefits, Coverage & How to Apply      

Medi-Cal California is a program to help low-income Californians access healthcare services. Adults, children, seniors, blind and people with disabilities can qualify if they meet the maximum state limits. California Health Care Foundation reports that almost 14.9 million people were enrolled in Medi-Cal in 2025. 

This Medi-Cal program is divided into MAGI, NON-MAGI and Special programs. If you do not qualify for one then you may be eligible for others. These programs are designed for people of different age groups and incomes. 

Therefore, we have covered everything you need to know about Medi-Cal. We will discuss the benefits, income limits, share of cost and look back period in detail. 

What is Medi-Cal​?

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid health care program for people in need. It covers the health care cost of doctor visits, X-rays, emergency care, prescriptions, and more. Medi-Cal is available in all 58 counties in California. Every county has its own managed health care plan. The plan manages care and helps you to choose doctors.

Medi-Cal Managed Care Models By County

Medi-Cal Eligibility​ Requirements 2026

Medi-Cal eligibility differs for every age group. However, you qualify for Medi-Cal if you are:

• Ages between 19 and 64 
• Under 19
• 65 or older
• Blind
• Immigrants with a Green Card
• Disabled
• Pregnant
• Diagnosed with Breast or Cervical Cancer
• In a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility
• Parent or caretaker relative of a child under 21
• Unemployed

You automatically qualify for Medi-Cal if you are getting:

• CalWORKs 
• SSI
• Foster Care Assistance

CalFresh, SNAP and WIC programs help prove low income. However, SNAP/CalFresh does not guarantee Medi-Cal. They differ in assets so you have to apply to check if you are eligible.

Guidelines for Income Limits Medi-Cal 2026

The Medi-Cal California has three main categories:

• MAGI Medi-Cal 
• NON-MAGI Medi-Cal
• Special (Long-term care) Medi-Cal

MAGI Med-Cal is a income based program. You are eligible for Medi-Cal only when you meet the state’s income limits. This income-based program is for children, pregnant women and adults between 19 and 64. A non-MAGI plan is for people with any sort of disability. The special program includes the elderly living in nursing homes. So they don’t rely on your income that much but assets. 

Here is what is added to calculate your gross income limits:

• Wages salaries
• Tips
• Bonuses
• Commissions from work
• Net earnings from self-employment (after expenses)
• Interest and dividends from bank accounts or investments
• Taxable capital gains
• Social Security Benefits (but not SSI)
• Unemployment Benefits
• Retirement or Pension Payments
• Net income from renting out a property
• Royalties from books, music, or patents.

Income Limits for Medi-Cal 2026 (MAGI)

Income limits for every age group and pregnant women differ. People between 19 to 64 years must have an income below 138% on the poverty line. So if a single individual has income more than $21,597, he is not eligible.

Children under 18 or younger qualify if their family has income below the 266% on the poverty line. It means $88,494 for a family of four.

Pregnant women qualify for Medi-Cal with income below 213% on the poverty line. You have to include your unborn baby as part of the family when calculating the gross income. So it will be $46,336 for pregnant women (with first child).

This income-based program does not include your assets when calculating eligibility. 

Medi-Cal for People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI)

People with disabilities have multiple ways to qualify for Medi-Cal if they don’t meet the income limits. These non-MAGI programs are only for the elderly and disabled people. 

Non-MAGI Programs include:

1. Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal (A&D FPL)

This program is for aged and disabled people who are unable to get SSI benefits. You may qualify if you are

• Aged (65+) or disabled
• Have low income
• Have $130,000 or less in resources ($195,000 for a couple). 
• Have less than $1,800 income/month
• $2,433 income as a couple

Medi-Cal does not count your total earned income to see if you qualify. There are some deductions allowed. You have to calculate your total income first. Then look at the number of people who are not applying in Medi-Cal. You can subtract maintenance level amount for every member.

Plus, subtract all the insurance costs. You can cut $315 dollars if you live on a board. And the remaining amount is countable income. Compare it with the table below to see if you qualify.

Maximum Asset Limits

There was no asset limit during 2024 and 2025. The government has just announced these resource limits on January 1, 2026. A&D FPL, the Working Disabled Program (WDP), and ABD–MN program follow these limits.

2. Aged, Blind, & Disabled Medically Needy Medi-Cal

You qualify for Medi-Cal even if your income is higher than 138% of FDl. But only if you are:

• Aged
• Blind
• Disabled
• Pay SOC

You have to pay your share of the cost first only to pay medical bills. Then Medi-Cal provides you health coverage. 

You can easily calculate your SOC by following these steps:

• Calculate countable income after deduction
• Subtract the maintenance need amount
• The remaining is SOC 

For example:

If your countable income is  $1,900  after deductions. Subtract MNL $600 (1 person). 

1,900 – $600 = $1,300

So $1,300 is your share of the cost.

3. SSI-Linked Medi-Cal

You qualify for Medi-Cal if you are getting SSI. But there is also another rule of SSI 1619(b). SSI benefits stop when you start working. But this rule helps people to have Medi-Cal benefits even if their SSI has become zero.

But you only qualify if:

• Got SSI benefits for at least 1 month
• Need Medi-Cal to keep working
• Still disabled and have less than $2,000 in savings
• Earn less than $66,078 per year

4. Medi-Cal’s 250% Working Disabled Program

WDP helps disabled people with high incomes to get Medi-Cal benefits. Your countable income should be 250% of the FDL to qualify for WDP. 

Who Qualifies for WDP?

Here are the eligibility requirements for WDP:

• Be a U.S citizen
• Meet the SSI requirements
• Have resources of less than $130,000 per person
• Have unearned income less than SSI/SSP

What is Not Counted in WDP?

• Retirement funds (like 401(k))
• Money you earn from work if put in a separate bank account
• Disability income, including:
  • SSDI
  • Worker’s Compensation
  • California State Disability Insurance
  • Any federal, state, or private disability benefits

Long-Term Care Medi-Cal (Special)

There are three categories of Medi-Cal long-term care:

• Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid for people in nursing homes.
• Medicaid Waivers / Home & Community Services for seniors needing care at home or in the community.
• Medicaid / Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD) for people who need help with daily activities (ADLs).

You have to meet the income and asset limits to receive LTC Medi-Cal care:

What is the Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Look-Back Rule?

Medi-Cal uses a look back rule to see if you have transferred any property recently. Many people transfer their assets to qualify for Medi-Cal long-term care. So look-back helps to identify such people. However, this rule was eliminated in post 2024. But they brought them back in 2026.

The number of months depends on when you submit the application. So check yours here:

What is a Medi-Cal Card?

A Medi-Cal card also known as the Benefit Identification Card ( BIC) is a proof document to get benefits. You have to show your BIC card at pharmacies and hospitals to claim free or low-cost services. A Medi-Cal card is like a ticket and you can only use it to pay approved bills. This card has no specific monthly limit.

Medi-Cal Benefits and Coverage

Here are the Medi-Cal benefits you get:

• Maternity and newborn care
• Substance use disorder services
• Free Physician visits
• X-ray  
• Hospital and nursing-home care
• Home health care
• Certain prescription drugs
• Hearing aids
• Medical equipment
• Ambulance services
• Long term care
• Dental services

How to Apply for Medi-Cal​?

There are three ways to apply for Medi-Cal benefits:

1. Login in and BenefitsCal 
2. Call at (866) 613-3777
3. Visit the local county department

Here are the steps to apply for Medi-Cal:

1. Create an account on BenefitsCal website
2. Take 30 to 60 minutes to fill in the form
3. Upload the documents mentioned below
4. Team reviews your application for approval
5. Medi-Cal does not require any interview

Upload these documents:

• Birth certificate  
• Proof of income
• Social Security Number
• Proof of residency

You have to renew your Medi-Cal every year. Visit the website or call at the above number for renewal.

Conclusion

The Medi-Cal program helps low income people receive health care services. The income limits for Medi-Cal differ for every age group. There is an income based program for adults and children. But disabled people have four other ways to qualify for benefits. 

The elderly also have to meet the asset and income limits. You have to pay SOC if your income is too high. Medi-Cal takes 45 to 90 days to approve your request. You can use the Medi-Cal card at pharmacies to get free medicine. 

FAQs

Is Medi-Cal The Same as Medicaid?

Yes, Medi-Cal is also known as Medicaid and they are both the same.

What is a Medi-Cal California Phone Number?

You can contact the Medi-Cal providers at 1-800-541-5555

Do Dentists Accept Medi-Cal​?

Yes, because Medi-Cal covers dentist costs. You can find a Medi-Cal dentist near you at SmileCalifornia website.

Does Medi-Cal Cover Dental Implants​?

No, Medi-Cal does not cover dental implants. They are non essential and out of pocket treatment.

Does Kaiser accept Medi-Cal​?

Yes, Kaiser Permanent accepts Medi-Cal but if you choose them as a care plan.

Does Sutter Health accept Medi-Cal

Yes, but not everywhere. So it’s better to contact their customer support.