No. You will not lose Medi-Cal just because new rules begin on January 1, 2027.

If a new rule applies to you, you will receive a letter from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) or your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office. Open all letters about your Medi-Cal and respond on time.

Make sure DSS has your current mailing address, phone number, and email. Open all letters about your Medi-Cal and reply on time.

You can update your contact information by creating an account at BenefitsCal.com or by contacting DSS:

• San Luis Obispo County DSS: 1-844-335-6348

• Santa Barbara County DSS: 1-844-289-4682

Open it right away and check the deadline for responding.

If you need help or have questions, contact your local DSS office or Central Coast Coverage:

• San Luis Obispo County DSS: 1-844-335-6348

• Santa Barbara County DSS: 1-844-289-4682

• Central Coast Coverage: 1-805-831-1055

Some people will still have Medi-Cal but may no longer receive their health care through CenCal Health. Instead, they may receive care through Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal.

If this affects you, you will receive a letter explaining the change.

To find Fee-for-Service providers, visit this DHCS website. If you have questions about your CenCal Health benefits, you can also contact:

• CenCal Health Member Services: 1-877-814-1861

You can find your renewal date by creating an account at BenefitsCal.com or by calling your local DSS office. Your renewal date is also printed on letters about your Medi-Cal.

• San Luis Obispo County DSS: 1-844-335-6348

• Santa Barbara County DSS: 1-844-289-4682

Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19–64 will need to follow the new work rules.

If the rules apply to you, DSS will send you a letter with more information.

You can also learn more on the “Need to Know” page under “January 2027 Work Rules.”

Starting March 1, 2027, some adults ages 19–64 will have their Medi-Cal eligibility checked every six months instead of once a year.

If this applies to you, DSS will send you a letter with more information.

You can also learn more on the “Need to Know” page under “Six-Month Eligibility Checks.”

If your income changes because of seasonal work, DSS can average your income over the preceding six months.

If your average income is at least $580 per month, you can meet the work requirements based on your income. DSS may ask you for information to verify your income.

Volunteer or community service is unpaid work through a structured program that directly benefits the community. The program must be run by a public agency or nonprofit organization, and the activity cannot serve a partisan political purpose.

The organization must oversee the work, track the activities, dates, and hours, and have someone who can confirm your participation.

Local volunteer opportunities are available through California Volunteers and VolunteerSLO.

You may be excused from the work rules if you are a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child age 13 or younger, or if you care for a person with a disability.

If you receive a letter saying the work rules apply to you, you may need to give DSS more information to show that you should be excused as a caregiver.