How to Renew California Medicaid
Updated August 2026
California's Medi-Cal renewal happens annually for most enrollees, based on the date of original enrollment. DHCS and your county office use an "ex parte" process first: they check your eligibility using data from the Social Security Administration, California's Employment Development Department, and prior application records. If the existing data confirms you are still eligible, Medi-Cal renews automatically and you receive an auto-renewal letter.
60 days
To respond to renewal form
90 days
Reconsideration window after cutoff
(800) 541-5555
Medi-Cal member helpline
Two major renewal rule changes are coming in 2026 and 2027
January 1, 2026: Asset limits were reinstated for some Medi-Cal programs (seniors, disabled enrollees). At renewal, those groups now face a $130,000 individual / $195,000 couple resource limit. January 1, 2027: Adults ages 19-64 without children under 19 will have their Medi-Cal eligibility checked twice a year instead of annually.
How Medi-Cal renewal works in California
If the county cannot confirm eligibility from existing data, they send a renewal form asking you to provide updated information. The auto-renewal letter reads, "We already have your information. Your Medi-Cal will stay active. You don't need to do anything." If you receive this letter, no action is required.
The renewal form arrives in a yellow envelope. If you receive a yellow envelope, read it carefully — it means the county needs updated information from you. The deadline to respond is typically 60 days.
Where and how to renew Medi-Cal
Renew online at BenefitsCal.com. Log in to your case, look under "Things to Do," and submit your renewal there. You can also upload supporting documents directly.
- Online at BenefitsCal.com — submit your renewal and upload documents under "Things to Do"
- By phone — call the Medi-Cal Member Helpline at (800) 541-5555
- Through your county office directly (find county numbers at dhcs.ca.gov/medi-cal/contact/)
- Sign up for text or email alerts through BenefitsCal for reminders about upcoming renewal dates and requests for information
If you miss the renewal deadline: two windows to restore coverage
California gives you two chances to keep coverage if you miss a renewal deadline. First, you have 60 days from the date the renewal form was sent to provide the requested information. If you respond within 60 days, Medi-Cal continues without interruption.
If your Medi-Cal is discontinued because you missed the 60-day deadline, you still have a second chance: a 90-day reconsideration period from the discontinuation date. During this window, you can provide the required information and have your coverage reinstated without filing a new application.
After 90 days from discontinuation, you must submit a completely new Medi-Cal application. Act as quickly as possible — the sooner you contact the county, the more likely you can restore coverage without a gap.
Two major rule changes coming in 2026 and 2027
Seniors and disabled enrollees: if you are 65 or older, blind, disabled, or enrolled in certain Medicare Savings Programs, the January 1, 2026 asset limit reinstatement affects your renewal. DHCS will check whether countable resources exceed $130,000 (individual) or $195,000 (couple). If your assets have grown above these thresholds, consult a Medi-Cal eligibility counselor or a legal aid attorney before your renewal date. California Health Advocates provides guidance at cahealthadvocates.org.
Starting January 1, 2027, California will check eligibility every six months — instead of annually — for Medi-Cal members who are ages 19 to 64 and do not have children under age 19 in the household. If this applies to you, you will need to renew twice per year. DHCS will notify affected members before the change takes effect. Keep your BenefitsCal account current and your contact information up to date to receive notice.
How to complete your renewal
When you receive a renewal form, here's what to do.
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1
Open the yellow envelope immediately
Read the entire notice. It will state exactly what information the county needs and the deadline to respond. Missing this deadline is the most common way people lose coverage.
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2
Update your information
Report any changes since your last renewal: income, address, phone number, household members, or immigration status. Outdated contact information is the leading cause of missed notices and wrongful terminations.
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3
Submit online at BenefitsCal.com
Log in to your BenefitsCal account, find "Things to Do," and complete the renewal. Upload supporting documents directly. You can also call (800) 541-5555 or mail the completed form to your county office.
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4
Confirm your coverage was renewed
After submitting, wait for a confirmation notice. If you don't receive one within a few weeks, call your county social services office to verify your status. Don't assume coverage continued without confirming.
Changes to report during the year
DHCS requires Medi-Cal enrollees to report changes that may affect eligibility within 10 days. Report through BenefitsCal.com or by calling your county office.
- Change of address — the single most common cause of missed renewal notices
- New job or change in income
- Change in household size — new baby, someone moves in or out, marriage, divorce
- Gaining or losing other health coverage
- Change in immigration status
- Move to a different California county
- Death of a household member
If your renewal is denied
A denial must state the specific reason in writing and explain your right to appeal. In California, you have 90 days from the denial date to request a State Fair Hearing through CDSS. File the appeal quickly — if you appeal before your coverage ends, you may be able to continue benefits during the hearing process.
Common renewal denial reasons: income reported above the threshold, failure to respond to the renewal packet, or a change in household composition. Many of these can be addressed by providing the correct documentation directly to the county rather than going through a formal appeal.
Contact your county social services office within the 90-day window. A reconsideration filed promptly can often restore coverage retroactively to the date it was lost. California Health Advocates (cahealthadvocates.org) provides guidance on navigating this process.
Medi-Cal
- Medi-Cal member helpline: (800) 541-5555
- BenefitsCal online portal: BenefitsCal.com
- DHCS: dhcs.ca.gov
- California Health Advocates: cahealthadvocates.org