What California's Medicaid Payment Pause Means for Your Coverage
California paused new Medicaid enrollments in May 2024, but existing coverage continues
California stopped accepting new Medicaid applications on May 1, 2024, as part of a federal requirement to resume may be able to access reviews after a three-year pause. This does not mean Medicaid ended or that people currently enrolled lost coverage. If you already have Medicaid, your benefits continue unchanged. The pause affects only new applications — people trying to enroll for the first time cannot submit applications during this period.
The pause happened because the federal government ended the Public Health Emergency declaration in May 2023, which had frozen Medicaid disenrollments during the COVID-19 pandemic. States were required to restart the process of reviewing whether current members still meet income and may be able to access rules. California chose to pause new enrollments while it worked through millions of existing cases, rather than process both simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
- If you have Medicaid now, your coverage stays active; the pause does not affect current members.
- New applications cannot be submitted during the pause, but you can contact your county to ask when applications will reopen.
- People losing Medicaid due to the may be able to access review may move to Covered California (the state marketplace) or other programs depending on income.
- The pause timeline varies by county because California processes cases locally, not statewide.
- If you were denied Medicaid or lost coverage, you may have other options including emergency Medicaid or county health programs.
Who the pause affects and who it does not
The pause blocks new applications only. You cannot submit a Medicaid application to your county during the pause period. However, if you already receive Medicaid — whether through Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program), emergency Medicaid, or pregnancy-related coverage — your benefits continue without interruption.
People currently on Medicaid will receive a notice from their county asking them to verify their income and household information. This is part of the may be able to access review process, not a result of the pause. You must respond to this notice to keep your coverage. If you do not respond or no longer meet income limits, your Medicaid will end, but that is a separate process from the enrollment pause.
Pregnant people, children under 19, and people over 65 or with disabilities have different rules and may still be able to enroll even during a pause in some cases. Contact your county Medicaid office to ask whether your situation is an exception.
When new applications will reopen
California has not announced a statewide date when new Medicaid applications will reopen. The state is processing may be able to access reviews by county, and the timeline depends on how quickly each county completes its backlog. Some counties may finish earlier than others.
To find out when your county will accept new applications again, contact your county's Medicaid office directly. You can search for your county office at dhcs.ca.gov or call 1-800-541-5555 (the Medi-Cal hotline) to ask about your specific county's timeline. Some counties post reopening dates on their websites once they know them.
You can also ask to be placed on a waiting list or to receive notification when applications reopen, though not all counties offer this. Calling ahead is faster than checking online, because county websites may not update immediately.
What happens during the may be able to access review
While new applications are paused, California is reviewing the income and household status of people already enrolled. Your county will mail you a form asking you to confirm or update your information. You must return this form by the deadline on the notice, usually 30 to 60 days from the date you receive it.
If your income has increased above the Medicaid limit for your household size, you may lose coverage. Medicaid income limits in California vary by age and household composition but generally range from about 138% to 266% of the federal poverty level, depending on the category you are in. If you lose Medicaid due to income, you may be able to enroll in Covered California (the state health insurance marketplace) instead.
If you move, change your phone number, or do not receive the notice, your Medicaid can end without your knowledge. If you think your coverage was terminated by mistake, you can request a hearing through your county Medicaid office. You have 90 days from the date on the termination notice to request a hearing.
Options if you cannot enroll in Medicaid right now
If you need health coverage and cannot apply for Medicaid during the pause, Covered California is open year-round for people who do not have insurance through an employer. You can enroll at coveredca.com. Depending on your income, you may receive subsidies (tax credits) that lower your monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs. Open enrollment for Covered California runs from November through January each year, but you can enroll outside that window if you have a may have access to life event, such as losing other coverage.
If your income is very low, you may be able to enroll in emergency Medicaid, which covers emergency room visits and emergency surgeries only. Emergency Medicaid does not require an application in advance — you can enroll at the hospital when you need emergency care. Some counties also run county health programs that serve uninsured or low-income residents, regardless of immigration status.
If you are pregnant, you may be able to enroll in pregnancy-related Medicaid even during the pause. Contact your county Medicaid office to ask. If you are a child under 19, your county may also have exceptions to the pause.
What to do if you received a termination notice
If your Medicaid ended during the may be able to access review and you believe it was a mistake, you have the right to request a hearing. The termination notice will include instructions for requesting a hearing and a deadline — usually 90 days from the date on the notice. You can request a hearing by mail, phone, or online through your county Medicaid office.
Before requesting a hearing, try calling your county Medicaid office to ask why your coverage ended. Sometimes terminations happen because the county did not receive your response to the verification form, or because they have incorrect income information. A phone call can sometimes resolve the issue faster than a hearing.
If you request a hearing, your Medicaid will usually continue while the hearing is pending, as long as you requested the hearing before your coverage ended or within 10 days after. This is called "aid paid pending" and protects you from losing coverage while your case is reviewed.
How the pause affects different types of Medicaid coverage
California offers several types of Medicaid coverage, and the pause affects new applications for all of them. Medi-Cal (standard Medicaid) is the most common. Emergency Medicaid covers only emergency services. Pregnancy-related Medicaid covers pregnant people and postpartum care for up to 60 days after delivery. Medicaid for people over 65 or with disabilities (called "aged, blind, and disabled" or ABD) has different income limits and may have different pause rules.
If you are currently enrolled in any of these programs, your coverage continues during the pause. If you are trying to enroll for the first time, you cannot submit an application for any of these programs until the pause ends in your county. The exception is if you are in a category the state has carved out — such as pregnant people or children — and your county still accepts applications for that group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my Medicaid because of the pause?
The pause itself does not end coverage. However, the may be able to access review that is happening at the same time may end your coverage if your income increased or your household changed. You will receive a notice before your coverage ends, and you have the right to request a hearing if you disagree.
Can I still go to the doctor if I have Medicaid right now?
Yes. Your Medicaid coverage continues unchanged during the pause. You can use your benefits to see your doctor, fill prescriptions, and get hospital care just as you do now. The pause does not affect current members.
What if I am pregnant and need Medicaid?
Contact your county Medicaid office and ask whether pregnancy-related Medicaid is an exception to the pause in your area. Some counties continue to accept applications for pregnant people even while the general pause is in effect. Your county can tell you whether you can apply now or when applications will reopen.
If I lose Medicaid, can I get it back later?
If you lose Medicaid because your income increased, you can reapply once your income drops back below the limit. If you lose coverage for other reasons, you can also reapply when the pause ends and applications reopen. You can ask your county when that will be.
Where do I find my county Medicaid office?
Search for your county at dhcs.ca.gov or call 1-800-541-5555. You can also search "[your county name] Medi-Cal office" online. Each county runs its own Medicaid program, so contacting your county directly is the fastest way to get information about your specific situation and timeline.