Healthcare costs are astronomical across the country when you don’t have insurance, and California is no exception. However, for low-income households, several options exist in California for both low-to-no cost healthcare insurance coverage and low-cost healthcare.
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is the state of California’s version of Medicaid and is overseen by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). It is for low-income residents of California and their families and makes no-to low-cost health care coverage accessible to many people who cannot afford private health insurance.
Medi-Cal insurance requirements include income limits, asset limits, and immigration status rules.
Medi-Cal Income Limits
In 2026, Medi-Cal income limits are as follows:
- For one person, the limit is 138% of the FPL, which is $21,597 annually. For each additional family member, $7,500 is added to the limit. That means that for a family of two the limit is $29,187, and for a family of four, it is $44,367.
- For children 19 and under, the family income limit is 266% of FPL for a family of one, which is $41,629 per year. For a family of four, the limit is $85,519 per year.
- For pregnant women, income limits may be higher (213% FPL) for pregnancy-related coverage.
Asset Limits
As of January 1. 2026, the Medi-Cal asset limits are $130,000 for persons enrolled in specific programs that require an asset test, with an additional $65,000 added for each individual in the household.
Assets that are counted in the asset limits include:
- Bank accounts
- Cash
- Second home
- Second vehicle
- Other financial resources
Assets that are not counted include:
- The home in which you live
- Your primary vehicle
- Household items
- Retirement accounts as long as you are getting regular distributions or payments
The asset limits do not apply to everyone enrolled in Medi-Cal. They apply if you:
- Are 65 or older
- Have a disability
- Live in a nursing home
- Are in a family that makes too much money to qualify under federal tax rules
Most modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)-based Medi-Cal programs, which include coverage for adults ages 19–64, children, and pregnant women, are not subject to asset limits. Eligibility for these groups is based strictly on income and household size.
Some long-term care Medi-Cal programs, including nursing home coverage and certain home and community-based services, may require review of assets to determine eligibility.
Immigration Status
Immigration status rules for Medi-Cal eligibility have changed in 2026.
Beginning January 1, 2026, California implemented an enrollment freeze for certain immigrants:
- Adults age 19+ without “satisfactory immigration status” (such as undocumented adults or some recent legal residents) can no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal.
- If they apply after that date, they can generally only get restricted-scope coverage, which includes:
- Emergency services
- Pregnancy-related care
- Some nursing home care
People already enrolled before 2026 are mostly protected:
- They can keep full coverage regardless of immigration status as long as they stay eligible and renew each year.
- If they lose coverage and don’t re-enroll within a short grace period, they may only qualify for restricted benefits afterward.
Some people can still qualify for Medi-Cal regardless of their immigration status, including:
- Children under age 19
- Pregnant individuals (during pregnancy and up to 12 months after)
- Former foster youth under 26
Covered California
If you’re not eligible for Medi-Cal, you still have options for getting health coverage. Many people transition to a low-cost plan through Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, where you may qualify for premium subsidies based on your income.
Community Health Centers – Sliding Fee Scales
If you cannot afford health care coverage or quality for low-to-no cost programs, California has many community health centers that offer sliding fee scales.
A sliding fee scale is a pricing system that adjusts the cost of medical services based on your income and household size. A sliding fee scale is commonly used by community clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that receive support from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Under a sliding fee scale, clinics calculate the amount you pay by comparing your household income to the Federal Poverty Level, which is determined each year by the federal government. This means that if your income falls below a certain percentage of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for significantly reduced fees. For example, a patient whose income is below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level may pay only a small fee for services, while someone at 200% of the poverty level may pay a slightly higher amount.
In Closing
In California, you have several options if you cannot afford the cost of healthcare or healthcare insurance. If you or someone you know needs care and is worried about cost, call our Euclid Community Health Center at 840-237-3344. The center is located at 600 N Euclid Ave. Ste. 202 Upland, CA 91786. At Health Service Alliance, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and accessible care regardless of your ability to pay.
