Changes for Some Immigrant Members – Fee-for-Service Transition
Medi-Cal is changing, starting January 1, 2027
You are not losing your Medi-Cal. Some members will get care in a different way.
Who it affects
These changes are for all Medi-Cal members who are:
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Undocumented
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Green card holders
Lawful permanent residents who must wait five years for full Medi-Cal
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PRUCOL
Allowed to live in the U.S. but do not have official immigration status
Visit Immigration Status and Medi‑Cal Changes to see if this applies to you.
You are NOT losing your Medi-Cal.
A new federal rule means some members will get Medi-Cal through Fee-for-Service instead of CenCal Health.
Fee-for-Service does not mean you pay. Medi-Cal still pays for your care.
How you will get care
Starting January 1, 2027:
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You will no longer have CenCal Health as your health plan.
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You can go to any doctor or clinic that takes Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service. (Fee-for-Service does not mean you pay.)
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You will choose your own doctor. A health plan will not pick a doctor for you.
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You can still get mental health care.
- Therapy, counseling, and medicine visits will now go through Fee-for-Service.
- Serious mental health care, or help with drug or alcohol use, will still come from your county.
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Your medicines stay covered through Medi-Cal Rx.
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Your dental care stays the same.
What to do now
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Ask your doctor
Before January 1, 2027, ask: “Do you take Fee‑for‑Service?”
- Yes: You can keep going there.
- No: You will need to find care that takes Fee-for-Service.
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Find a new doctor
Find a doctor or clinic who takes Fee‑for‑Service.
Or call the Medi‑Cal Helpline at 1-800-541‑5555. -
Use your Medi-Cal (BIC) card
- Your Medi-Cal (BIC) card is the card you will use in Fee-for-Service.
- Bring it to all medical, dental, and pharmacy visits.
- Your health plan card will not work anymore.
- If you need a new Medi-Cal (BIC) card, contact your county Medi‑Cal office.
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Watch your mail
Open Medi-Cal letters right away and respond fast.
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Renew your Medi-Cal
Renew Medi-Cal on time to stay covered.
Medicare: Medi-Medi Plans
If you get both Medicare and Medi-Cal (Medi-Medi) you will no longer have CenCal Health as your health plan on January 1, 2027. This is because you will no longer be in a Medi-Cal health plan.
You will keep Medicare. You can use Original Medicare or choose a new Medicare plan.
PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
PACE is a program that gives complete care for older adults who qualify.
You will stay in PACE. You will not move to Fee-for-Service.
PACE will keep giving you all your care the same way it does now.
Help
Contact information
- Medi‑Cal Helpline: Get free help finding a doctor or clinic that accepts Fee‑for‑Service Medi‑Cal. Call 1‑800‑541‑5555, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT (closed on state holidays).
- Contact your County DSS Office