Lost Medi-Cal Coverage: Your California Health Coverage Action Guide
If your Medi-Cal coverage ended, act promptly. You may have a limited opportunity to enroll in a Covered California health plan and avoid a gap in coverage.
Act Within 60 Days
Start and complete your coverage transition within 60 days of losing Medi-Cal whenever possible. Confirm your exact special-enrollment deadline with Covered California because eligibility windows can differ.
Start Here
Find your Medi-Cal termination or eligibility notice and confirm the exact coverage-end date.
If you believe coverage ended by mistake, contact your county office or the Medi-Cal Member Helpline at 800-541-5555.
Begin or update your Covered California application and report the loss of Medi-Cal.
Keep copies of notices, documents, confirmation numbers, and premium-payment records.
Documents To Gather
Photo identification and Social Security numbers, when requested.
Household names, birth dates, immigration information if applicable, and tax-filing relationships.
Current income records such as recent pay stubs or benefit statements.
The Medi-Cal notice showing why and when coverage ends.
Doctor names, preferred hospitals, prescriptions, and preferred pharmacies.
Your Five Step Coverage Plan
Verify the Medi-Cal decision and respond to any information request.
Report the qualifying life event using the exact coverage-end date.
Update your household and estimated annual income.
Compare total costs, provider networks, prescriptions, and pharmacy access.
Select a plan, verify its effective date, and pay the first premium by the deadline.
Plan Comparison Checklist
Confirm your doctors, hospitals, and specialists are in network.
Check that every prescription is covered and review its tier and restrictions.
Compare the premium, deductible, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.
Review referral and prior-authorization requirements.
Confirm coverage rules if you travel or spend time outside California.
Get Enrollment Help
Certified enrollment assistance is available at no additional cost. Call Covered California Certified Agent at (800) 771-7653.
Official Resources
Covered California special enrollment: https://www.coveredca.com/special-enrollment/
Medi-Cal member help: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/Contact-Us.aspx
Important: This resource is for general educational purposes and does not guarantee eligibility, financial assistance, enrollment, an effective date, provider participation, or benefit coverage. Rules and plan details can change. Verify information with Covered California, Medi-Cal, your county, and the health plan. Covered California Certified Agent is an independent certified insurance agency and is not affiliated with CoveredCA.com or the State of California.
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