The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - Beginning January 1, 2027, H.R.1 requires states to implement a community engagement requirement for certain able ‑bodied adults between ages 19 and 64 (mostly childless adults). Individuals must generally work, study, or volunteer at least 80  hours per month, or meet an earnings threshold (about $580 per month, equivalent to 80 hours at the federal minimum wage) unless they qualify for certain exemptions (such as having young children or being medically frail).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - As   Figure  6 shows, we estimate that these policies reduce UIS adult participation in comprehensive coverage, with 1.5  million (64  percent) fewer people by 2029 ‑30 relative to the baseline. We assume those who leave comprehensive coverage remain enrolled in Medi ‑Cal with limited coverage.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5092

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

Mar 6, 2025 - The 2019 ‑20 budget package eliminated this share of cost for seniors and persons with disabilities up to 138  percent of FPL, consistent with the eligibility rules for children and adults through age 64.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5010

Estimated Cost of Expanding Full-Scope Medi-Cal Coverage to All Otherwise-Eligible Californians Regardless of Immigration Status

May 5, 2021 - By way of comparison, we estimate that 4  percent of restricted-scope Medi-Cal enrollees (most of whom are undocumented immigrants) are over age 64 or disabled, whereas around 18  percent of current full-scope enrollees are over age 64 or disabled.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4423

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Health

Oct 22, 2021 - The spending plan provides $8  million General Fund ($17  million total funds) to instead extend accelerated enrollment to such adults ages 19 through 64. Under this change —which is intended to aid in a settlement to a lawsuit against DHCS alleging that application processing is too slow —applicants would immediately qualify for Medi-Cal benefits while their income verifications are pending.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4465

The 2024-25 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Feb 14, 2024 - Enact interim rate adjustments ranging on average from 10 percent to 4 0 percent prior to roll out of prospective payment system. UC and county hospital inpatient services 150 375 Transition to prospective payment system, similar to the way Medi ‑Cal pays for inpatient services at private and district hospitals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4838

The 2022-23 Budget: Health Care Access and Affordability

Feb 23, 2022 - Reduce All Medi ‑Cal Premiums to $0. The Governor proposes to reduce all Medi ‑Cal premiums to $0 beginning July 2022. The  administration estimates that this would cost $18.9  million General Fund ($53.2  million total funds) in 2022 ‑23, increasing to $31  million General Fund ($89  million total funds) ongoing.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4560

The 2021-22 Budget: Analysis of the Governor’s Medi-Cal Telehealth Proposal

May 13, 2021 - Medi‑Cal payment rates for health centers range from as low as $64 per visit to as high as $719 per visit, depending on the health center and their services. Statewide, the average Medi‑Cal health center payment rate is $215 per visit.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4430

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

Dec 16, 2022 - The increased federal support reduced premium costs for Californians by about $1.6  billion per year, with premiums dropping to $0 for many enrollees. As shown in Figure  3 , the increased federal support for premium subsidies substantially lowers the cost of premiums Californians need to pay for plans purchased through Covered California —including for households whose incomes made them ineligible for the preexisting premium subsidies under the ACA.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4654

The 2022-23 Budget: Analysis of the Medi-Cal Budget

Feb 9, 2022 - The Governor proposes to reduce all Medi ‑Cal premiums to $0  beginning at the start of 2022 ‑23. The Governor ’s budget projects the cost of effectively eliminating Medi ‑Cal premiums to be $19  million General Fund ($53  million total funds).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4522