County government
Social Services
Santa Cruz County — Medi-Cal application and eligibility information (opens in a new tab)Official instructions
Read the county’s official programme and application instructions. Review current DHCS changes and ask the county which rules apply to your circumstances.
Before you start · 1 requirement & conditions
- Accessibility · County-specific Medi-Cal instructions
- If a disability prevents you from visiting and no representative can apply for you, the county says you can apply by mail or phone.
Source & saved evidence
Medi-Cal programme/application or explicitly named contact section
circumstances, and is authorized by you, can apply and be interviewed for you. If you are disabled and cannot get someone to apply for you, you can apply by mail or phone. MORE INFORMATION Where Do I Apply? What information do I need? If you currently receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-Cal benefits - call the Phone Customer Service Center at 1 (888) 421-8080 County of Santa Cruz Human S
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot
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Source & saved evidence
Medi-Cal programme/application or explicitly named contact section
VAP? How do I apply? Where do I apply? Medi-Cal Health Benefits How do I apply? You can apply for benefits by mail, phone, online, or visit one of our Customer Service Center locations. If you cannot get to a Customer Service Center, someone who knows your circumstances, and is authorized by you, can apply and be interviewed for you. If you are disabled and cannot get someone to apply for you, you can
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot 75a58610e6c07fc4
Apply for Medi-Cal with BenefitsCal (opens in a new tab)Shared state instructions
BenefitsCal is the shared state benefits portal used to apply for Medi-Cal with your county office.
Before you start · 1 requirement & conditions
- Accessibility · Official state large-print application — publisher accessibility notice
- The large-print PDF is for printing; its embedded first-page notice says it is not designed for screen readers or keyboard use and directs assistive-technology users to Covered California online.
Source & saved evidence
Printed application title and first-page programme introduction
ATTENTION! This PDF application is distributed solely for printing. To apply for Medi-Cal while using assistive technology, go to www.coveredca.com and use the online portal. This document is not designed to be used with a screen reader or a keyboard. Application for Health Insurance TM Your destination for affordable health insurance, including
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot
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Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — apply (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
ner websites: BenefitsCal (State Benefits Portal) Apply for Medi-Cal with your county office Find programs that can help you qualify Manage and renew your Medi-Cal online Apply with BenefitsCal Covered California (State Health Insurance Marketplace) Apply for Medi-Cal If you don’t qualify, shop for low-cost health plans Apply with CoveredCA Mail Down
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Apply for health coverage through Covered California (opens in a new tab)Shared state instructions
Use California’s health insurance marketplace to apply for Medi-Cal or explore other health coverage if you do not qualify.
Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — apply (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
renew your Medi-Cal online Apply with BenefitsCal Covered California (State Health Insurance Marketplace) Apply for Medi-Cal If you don’t qualify, shop for low-cost health plans Apply with CoveredCA Mail Download an application in your language Choose Language Close Download Medi-Cal Application English (this is a pdf file) English (large print) (this is a pdf fi
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot e2534a57c72250ca
Review current and upcoming Medi-Cal changes — DHCS (opens in a new tab)Shared state instructions
Read the current DHCS guidance for 2026 and changes scheduled for later years. A future rule does not describe today’s requirements for every member.
- Availability · Medi-Cal — DHCS statewide guidance; individual case rules vary
- Starting January 1, 2027, some members will move to Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal. DHCS says this changes how care is received and does not mean the member pays for that care. Effective January 1, 2027
Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — changes (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
Visit Fee-for-Service Transition for more details Starting January 1, 2027, some members will get their care through Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medi-Cal instead of a health plan. This changes how you get care, not whether you can keep Medi-Cal. Who this applies to People who are undocumented. Some people with green cards who are in the five-year waiting period before they can get full-scope federal Medicaid. People considered Permanently Residing in the U.S. Under Color of Law (PRUCOL), meaning they are allowed to stay in the U.S. even without formal immigration status. Visit Immigration Status and Medi‑Cal Changes to see if this applies to you. Important to Know You will stay covered if you renew on time. You will not be in a health plan any more. Instead, you can go to any doctor or clinic that accepts FFS Medi-Cal. “Fee-for-Service” does not mean you pay. Medi-Cal still pays for your care. Specialty mental health and substance use treatment will continue through County Behavioral Health Plans. Your medicines will still be covered by Medi-Cal Rx. Dental care is not changing for most members. How dental care works depends on your county. Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports (services only available in health plans) will not continue in FFS Medi-Cal. Other help is still available, like Community Health Workers, chronic care management, doula services, and county mental health programs. DHCS will offer n
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot
4cb4bee12e500168 - Availability · Medi-Cal — DHCS statewide guidance; individual case rules vary
- Starting July 1, 2027, DHCS says dental benefits will change for certain members depending on immigration status. Emergency care and exception groups have different rules; check the current guidance. Effective July 1, 2027
Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — changes (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
begins. July 2027 Dental Coverage Dental Coverage Starting July 1, 2027, some Medi-Cal members will stop getting full-scope dental services. Who this applies to Your dental coverage depends on your immigration status. Visit Immigration Status and Medi‑Cal Changes to see if this applies to you. Important to know You can still get emergency dental care, including: Bad tooth pain Infections Tooth removal You will continue to get full dental benefits if you are: A child (ages 0-18) Pregnant (during pregnancy and up to one year after) Under age 26 and were in foster care on your 18th birthday Immigration Status Changes Immigration Status Changes Starting October 2026, the federal government will change how it classifies some immigration statuses. These changes affect whether some adults can continue keep federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal. If you are affected, you will get state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal unti
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot
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Before you start · 3 requirements & conditions
- Eligibility & access · Medi-Cal — DHCS statewide guidance; individual case rules vary
- Since January 1, 2026, an enrollment restriction affects some adults depending on immigration status. Existing members and exception groups have different rules; check with your county. Effective January 1, 2026
Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — changes (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
2026 – Active Enrollment Freeze Enrollment Freeze As of January 1, 2026, some adults can no longer sign up for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage because of their immigration status. Who this applies to Visit Immigration Status and Medi‑Cal Changes to see if this applies to you. Important to know If you already have full-scope Medi-Cal, you can keep it, no matter your immigration status. You must renew on time and still meet Medi-Cal rules. If your Medi-Cal ends, you have three months to sign up again. If you miss the three-month period, you must apply again. You will only be able to get restricted-scope Medi-Cal, which covers: Emergency care Pregnancy care Nursing home care Who can still get full-scope Medi-Cal, no matter their immigration status Children ages 0-18 Pregnant people (during pregnancy and for one year after) People under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday January 20
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot
4cb4bee12e500168 - Eligibility & access · Medi-Cal — DHCS statewide guidance; individual case rules vary
- Starting January 1, 2027, DHCS says work or community activity rules will affect some adults in the ACA expansion group. Exemptions apply; your county will tell you if this affects you. Effective January 1, 2027
Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — changes (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
ts (age 19-64) January 2027 Work Rules Work Rules Starting January 1, 2027, some adults will need to work, volunteer, go to school, or be in training to get to keep their Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal will send you a letter if this applies to you. Who this applies to Adults ages 19-64 who get Medi-Cal through the Affordable Care Act expansions, including adults covered under the new rules for immigrants. Who this does not apply to These work or volunteer rules do not apply to: Children (0–18) Adults 65 and older Pregnant people (during pregnancy and one year after) Parents and caregivers of children ages 0-13 People with disabilities People with serious physical or mental health conditions, or substance use problems People released from jail or prison in the last 90 days People on Medicare Part A or Part B American Indians or Alaska Natives People under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birth
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot
4cb4bee12e500168 - Deadlines · Medi-Cal — DHCS statewide guidance; individual case rules vary
- Starting March 1, 2027, DHCS says some ACA expansion adults will have eligibility checked every six months. Other groups have different renewal rules; follow your county notice. Effective March 1, 2027
Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — changes (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
h Eligibility Checks Six-Month Eligibility Checks Starting March 1, 2027, some Medi-Cal members will have their eligibility checked twice a year instead of once. Who this applies to Adults ages 19-64 who get Medi-Cal through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansions, including those affected by the immigrant-related changes listed earlier. Who this does not apply to These members will continue to renew once a year: People not in the ACA new adult group Pregnant or postpartum people Alaska Native or American Indian members People under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday Important to know If you miss deadlines, you could lose your Medi-Cal coverage. October 2028 Copayments Copayments Starting October 1, 2028, some adults on Medi-Cal may need to pay a fee (called a copayment) for certain services. Who this applies to Adults (19-64) who: Are not pre
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot
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Source & saved evidence
California Department of Health Care Services · Medi-Cal — changes (opens in a new tab)
Current DHCS programme instructions
Qualify Apply Use Keep Help Contact On this page What Medi-Cal Members Need to Know Immigrants Older Adults and People with Disabilities Adults (age 19-64) Youth How to Keep Your Medi-Cal What Medi-Cal Members Need to Know Most Medi-Cal members will not see any changes to their coverage You can still: See your doctor or go to the hospital Ge
Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot 4cb4bee12e500168