Starting Thursday, new federal regulations will modify how the government classifies certain immigration statuses, directly affecting eligibility for federally funded full‑scope Medi‑Cal in Los Angeles County. The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) explained that the changes stem from H.R. 1, a law that revises the definition of qualified non‑citizens for the program.
Who remains eligible under the new rules
Under the revised criteria, Cuban and Haitian entrants, individuals from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau who qualify under the Compacts of Free Association, and lawful permanent residents who have completed the five‑year waiting period—or who qualify for an exemption—will continue to receive federally funded full‑scope Medi‑Cal, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Non‑citizens who may lose federal coverage
The rule also identifies several groups that could lose federally funded coverage. These include lawful permanent residents who have not yet met the five‑year waiting period and lack an exemption, refugees, asylees, Amerasian immigrants, individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal, certain conditional entrants, people paroled into the United States for at least one year, battered non‑citizens and their families, victims of human trafficking, and those granted humanitarian parole.
Transition to state‑funded, fee‑for‑service Medi‑Cal
DPSS said that anyone currently receiving Medi‑Cal who is affected by the change may keep state‑funded full‑scope coverage through June 30, 2027, as long as they remain otherwise eligible. Beginning January 1, 2027, those individuals will transition to a fee‑for‑service Medi‑Cal model, which allows them to see any provider that accepts Medi‑Cal at no cost to the beneficiary.
DPSS response and guidance for families
“Shifts in program coverage can raise questions and uncertainty for our customers and families who rely on Medi‑Cal for their health care,” DPSS Director Dr. Jackie Contreras said. “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.”
The department urged Medi‑Cal recipients to review any notices from DPSS and the California Department of Health Care Services, keep their contact information up to date, respond promptly to information requests, and complete renewals on time.
Scope of impact
More than 3.1 million people received Medi‑Cal in Los Angeles County as of June, according to DPSS data. About 365,250 of those beneficiaries were identified as non‑citizens with satisfactory immigration status. The exact number of individuals directly affected by the revised definition was not disclosed.
Additional information and resources are available through the DPSS website.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
