New Medi-Cal Rules Take Effect in 2027: 80 Hours a Month of Work and Renewals Every Six Months for Expansion Adults
San Bernardino County's human services department, in California, published guidance on October 29 telling the county's Medi-Cal members that new rules under the federal H.R.1 law will phase in from 2027, bringing significant eligibility changes for members aged 19 to 64 in the adult expansion group. The county is urging members to learn the rules early and keep their contact and address information current.
The centerpiece is a work and community engagement requirement: expansion adults must complete 80 hours a month of paid work, community service or similar engagement. Those who cannot meet the hours threshold can also qualify another way — for example, monthly earnings of at least $580, enrollment at least half-time in school, or a combination of work and school.
Several groups are exempt, including pregnant women, caregivers of children aged 13 and under, people with disabilities and Native Americans; the county's guidance carries the full list. In addition, eligibility renewals will move from once a year to every six months, and missing renewal paperwork could interrupt coverage.
On timing, new applicants will be reviewed under the new rules starting January 1, 2027, while current members will be subject to them at renewal starting in March 2027. The county said affected members will be notified by mail and community channels, and members should open county letters promptly and respond on time to avoid losing coverage. Other counties, including San Diego, have begun issuing their own guidance; members should follow the notice from their own county.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Colton 的圣贝纳迪诺县县立 Arrowhead 区域医疗中心（资料图）。图片：经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, the county hospital in Colton (file photo). Via Wikimedia Commons.
