Medi-Cal: eligibility: immigration status.

The federal Medicaid program prohibits payment to a state for medical assistance furnished to an alien who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Existing state law extends Medi-Cal eligibility for the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits to individuals who do not have satisfactory immigration status if they are otherwise eligible for those benefits, with the exception of specified dental benefits for individuals who are 19 years of age or older. Existing law makes an individual who is 19 years of age or older, who does not have satisfactory immigration status, and who applies for Medi-Cal on or after January 1, 2026, or loses eligibility for eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal on or after January 1, 2026, eligible only for pregnancy-related services and emergency medical treatment. Existing law, beginning no sooner than July 1, 2027, as specified, requires individuals who do not have satisfactory immigration status, who are not pregnant, and who are 19 to 59 years of age, inclusive, to pay a monthly premium of $30, subject to certain exceptions.

This bill would require the Director of the Department of Finance to determine and report to the Legislature and the Governor the cost of implementing eligibility for the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits for individuals who do not have satisfactory immigration status if they are otherwise eligible, and whether including those costs the General Fund would be in a deficit, as defined. The bill would then, on January 1 of the year following such a determination, end the above-described limitations on services for those who apply for Medi-Cal after January 1, 2026, or who lose eligibility for the full-scope of Medi-Cal benefits on or after January 1, 2026, thereby making an individual who is 19 years of age or older, who does not have satisfactory immigration status, eligible for the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits subject to certain limitations, such as the payment of premiums and certain dental benefits. The bill would require that the implementation of eligibility for the full-scope of Medi-Cal benefits be done by groups categorized by age, beginning with individuals over 49 years of age.

Because counties are required to make Medi-Cal eligibility determinations and this bill would alter Medi-Cal eligibility, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.