FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2026

Contact: JamesBolden@dpss.lacounty.gov

The federal government will change how it classifies some immigration statuses. The change will affect whether some adults can continue to keep federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is reminding Medi-Cal customers who may be affected by the October 1, 2026, changes to carefully review notices they receive from DPSS and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), keep their contact information current, respond to requests for information and complete their Medi-Cal renewal on time.

While the new federal requirements change eligibility for federal Medicaid funding for certain Qualified Non-Citizens, some populations will remain federally eligible, and others will continue to receive full-scope Medi-Cal through state funding.

Certain populations are not affected by the October 1, 2026, federal eligibility changes and will remain eligible for federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal, subject to meeting all other eligibility requirements. These include certain Cuban and Haitian entrants; individuals from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau who qualify under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA); and Lawful Permanent Residents who have satisfied the five-year waiting period or are otherwise exempt from the waiting period. 

For other Qualified Non-Citizens, the new federal requirements may affect eligibility to retain federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal. Immigration categories that may be impacted include: 

• Lawful Permanent Residents who have not met the five-year waiting period and do not qualify for an exemption 

• Refugees 

• Asylees 

• Amerasian immigrants 

• Individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal 

• Conditional entrants admitted prior to April 1980 

• Individuals paroled into the United States for one year or more 

• Battered non-citizens, or the parent or child of a battered non-citizen 

• Victims of human trafficking 

• Individuals granted humanitarian parole, including certain Afghan nationals who assisted U.S. operations in Afghanistan and individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine 

Individuals currently eligible for Medi-Cal who may be impacted by this change may continue to receive state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal through June 30, 2027, if otherwise eligible. Effective January 1, 2027, beneficiaries will transition to Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal. This transition does not mean beneficiaries pay a fee—Medi-Cal continues to cover all health care costs at no charge to the individual, allowing them to receive services from any medical provider who accepts Medi-Cal.

“Shifts in program coverage can raise questions and uncertainty for our customers and families who rely on Medi-Cal for their health care. Our priority is to make sure our customers have clear, reliable information and know that DPSS is here to help them navigate what comes next. No one should have to figure this out alone,” said Dr. Jackie Contreras, Director of the Department of Public Social Services.

As of June 2026, more than 3.1 million people receive Medi-Cal in Los Angeles County. Of those beneficiaries, about 365,250 non-citizens are identified as having Satisfactory Immigration Status, which includes non-citizens who are lawfully present. The number of individuals specifically impacted by the amended definition of Qualified Non-Citizens is not yet available.

As part of its Keep Your Benefits campaign, DPSS is providing information and resources to help customers, families and communities navigate H.R. 1 changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The campaign’s next phase, The Changes. Your Options. Our Support., focuses on helping customers understand what is changing, what actions may be required and what options and resources are available.

DPSS hosts free informational webinars in multiple languages and works with community partners to share information and resources with affected residents. Medi-Cal customers, families, and community partners can visit the Keep Your Benefits website for the latest updates, resources and upcoming webinars. 

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MEDIA NOTE: A DPSS Medi-Cal Program subject matter expert is available for media interviews upon request.