There has been much talk recently regarding issues having to do with healthcare and Medi-Cal. We want to make sure that readers have access to the most up-to-date and accurate information, so we are discussing some of the most significant issues below.
First, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently blocked from using any Medicaid data by a federal court. Several months ago, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency, signed a data-sharing agreement granting ICE access to the personal information of all 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide. ICE confirmed that they planned to use this information for immigration enforcement, but they are currently barred from doing so. The situation is evolving and that may change in the future.
Community members should be advised that disenrolling from Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, will not erase information that CMS has already shared with ICE, meaning staying enrolled poses no known additional risk to an enrollee’s data privacy. In addition, individuals with active immigration proceedings and who have been providing updated contact information to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) likely do not have an added data privacy risk either. Even if newly applying for Medi-Cal, the federal government already has these individuals’ information through USCIS.
For individuals considering applying for Medi-Cal who are at higher risk of immigration enforcement, such as people who are undocumented and/or people with an active order of removal, each individual and each family should balance the risk that their personal information may be shared with immigration enforcement against their need for the critical healthcare services accessible through Medi-Cal. Please note that only those individuals requesting Medi-Cal services are required to provide their Social Security Numbers or immigration status details. Therefore, when applying for Medi-Cal only on behalf of a lawfully present child or family member, individuals not requesting Medi-Cal are not required to and should not share the details of their immigration status or Social Security Numbers.
Second, USCIS recently published a memo reaffirming existing public charge rules. These rules remain unchanged: only cash assistance and long-term institutionalization are considered in green card determinations. Programs such as food assistance (CalFresh), utility bill assistance (LIHEAP), health insurance not used for long-term care (Medi-Cal or Covered California), and many more are not considered. Many immigrant categories, including but not limited to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, special immigrant juveniles, TPS applicants, T-visa and U-visa recipients, and VAWA petitioners, are fully exempt. And, in California, immigrants with a sponsor who apply for non-cash public assistance are not subject to sponsor deeming, meaning the sponsor’s income is not counted.
Third, Medi-Cal policies are also changing in the coming years. Beginning January 1, 2026, new enrollments in full-scope Medi-Cal will be frozen for adults aged 19 and older without satisfactory immigration status, except for pregnant individuals. In addition, on July 1, 2026, dental benefits for these adults without satisfactory immigration status will be limited to emergency services, except for pregnant individuals. Pregnant individuals will retain full dental coverage during pregnancy and for one year after pregnancy, regardless of immigration status. Finally, starting January 1, 2026, during renewal or new enrollment, Medi-Cal will check an applicant’s assets if they are 65 or older, have a disability, or live in a nursing home. The asset limit is $130,000 for one person, plus $65,000 for each additional family member, up to 10 people. If an applicant falls into one of the above three categories and has assets exceeding the limit, they may no longer qualify for Medi-Cal.
Health coverage remains essential to protecting families, preventing medical debt, and ensuring access to life-saving treatment and preventive services. Medi-Cal offers a year-round enrollment period. Covered California’s Open Enrollment period begins on November 1st. Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) encourages immigrants to not let fear-mongering and disinformation prevent them from accessing the services they need. AJSOCAL is a Los Angeles and Orange County-based legal aid nonprofit and certified enrollment entity. It provides free and confidential in-language assistance for Medi-Cal and Covered California enrollment. Community members with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact AJSOCAL for help understanding and enrolling in health coverage.