Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in California. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Medi-Cal (Medicaid) in California
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. For people 65 and older it can pay what Medicare doesn't and adds dental and vision care.
You may qualify with income up to 138% of the poverty level, and since January 1, 2026 Medi-Cal again counts savings for people 65 and older, with a $130,000 limit for one person that drops to $21,000 on July 1, 2027.
How to apply in California
- Online
- benefitscal.com
- By phone
- 1-800-541-5555
- In person
- At your county Medi-Cal (social services) office. You can also apply by phone through your county office or by mailing a paper application.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in California
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $1,836 a month (138% of the poverty level) | $2,490 a month (138% of the poverty level) Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 1) |
| Savings limit (through June 30, 2027) | $130,000 (drops to $21,000 on July 1, 2027) | $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each extra person in your household (from July 1, 2027: $31,000 for two people) Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 3) |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: with a monthly "share of cost", you pay part of your medical bills each month before Medi-Cal pays Source: KFF (source 7) |
|---|---|
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: adults 19 to 64 may qualify with income up to 138% of the poverty level Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 2) |
What you may get
| Adult dental | Exams, x-rays and cleanings, fillings and crowns, root canals, dentures, dental implants and emergency dental care |
|---|
Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 4)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Savings limit drops | July 1, 2027: $21,000 for one person, $31,000 for two people |
|---|
Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 3)
How California is different
Where California's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit: 138% of the poverty level, through the FPL Program for Aged & Disabled
- Savings limit of $130,000 for one person through June 30, 2027, then $21,000
- Adult dental and vision covered
Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 2)
Good to know
- Medi-Cal started counting savings again on January 1, 2026, for people 65 and older, people with disabilities and nursing-home residents. Your main home, your main vehicle, household items and retirement funds you're getting regular payments from aren't counted. You report your savings at your next renewal.
- If you move into a nursing home, Medi-Cal looks at assets you gave away in the 30 months before. Gifts made on or after January 1, 2026, may delay your long-term care coverage.
- If you live in a nursing home, Medi-Cal lets you keep $35 a month for personal needs (2026).
Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 3)
Free help
Free help with this in California
California Department of Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in California
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- California Department of Health Care Services, 2026 FPL Calculation Chart (Monthly Values) Enclosure 1 (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Program Descriptions by FPL Enclosure 3 (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Medi-Cal Benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Contact Medi-Cal (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Apply for Medi-Cal (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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