The 2025-26 Budget: Understanding Recent Increases in the Medi-Cal Senior Caseload

Mar 6, 2025 - Other Policy Changes Elimination of a Medi ‑Cal Share of Cost for Seniors Up to 138   Percent of FPL. Prior to December 2020, seniors and persons with disabilities whose incomes were between roughly 122  percent and 138  percent of the FPL had to pay a share of cost in order to receive Medi ‑Cal coverage.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5010

The 2019-20 Budget: California Spending Plan—Health and Human Services

Oct 17, 2019 - Eliminates Share of Cost for Aged and Disabled Medi-Cal Population up to 138  Percent of FPL. Children and nonelderly adults are generally eligible for free coverage through Medi-Cal if they have income less than 138  percent of FPL.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4104

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Health

Oct 16, 2025 - With regard to income, seniors and persons with disabilities still must have countable income below 138  percent of the federal poverty level. This budget solution provides General Fund savings of $45  million in 2025-26, $ 343  million in 2026-27, and $ 510  million in 2027-28 and ongoing.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5075

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - In 2023, the Legislature codified several efforts to make processes across RCs more consistent in order to improve access to services statewide (Chapter  192 of 2023 [S B  138 , Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review]).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

Estimating the Cost of Expanding Full-Scope Medi-Cal Coverage to Undocumented Adults

May 10, 2018 - (Income eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal is generally a household income at or below 138  percent of the federal poverty level.) According to data from the Department of Health Care Services, roughly 1  million undocumented adults (more than 80  percent of the total income-eligible population) are already enrolled in restricted-scope Medi-Cal coverage.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3827

Fiscal Outlook: Medi-Cal

Nov 14, 2018 - Increased State Share of Cost for Optional Expansion In 2014, California expanded Medi-Cal eligibility to childless adults with incomes up to 138  percent of the federal poverty level under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3898

The 2020-21 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 20, 2019 - Legislation related to the 2019 ‑20 Budget Act increased the income threshold for seniors and persons with disabilities to receive Medi-Cal services without paying a share of cost to 138  percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) —from the current 122  percent of FPL.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4116

Issues That Could Impact Californians' Health Care Coverage in 2023 and Beyond

Dec 16, 2022 - By opting in to an optional provision of the ACA, California was able to expand Medi ‑Cal eligibility to most adults with incomes under 138  percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) regardless of whether they have children.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4654

COVID-19: American Rescue Plan’s Major Health-Related Funding Provisions

May 6, 2021 - As authorized by federal law, Medi-Cal currently provides time-limited coverage to pregnant women who do not meet all standard Medi-Cal eligibility rules, such as those with incomes above 138  percent of the federal poverty level.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4425

Fiscal Outlook: Medi-Cal

Nov 15, 2017 - ACA Optional Expansion In 2014, California expanded Medi-Cal eligibility to childless adults with incomes up to 138  percent of the federal poverty level, a population known as the ACA optional expansion population.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3715