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State medical eligibility changes detailed; Alliance, county outline outreach to help members keep coverage
Summary
Department of Social Services staff and the Central California Alliance for Health explained a phased set of medical eligibility and benefit changes (Jan 2026–Oct 2028) and described outreach tactics — phone help, community partners, media and in-person events — to help affected members complete renewals and avoid lapses.
Celeste Armo of the Department of Social Services’ community benefits division said a series of state medical-policy changes that began in January 2026 will roll out in phases through 2028 and will affect enrollment, retroactive coverage windows, work requirements and some dental and premium benefits.
“Some of the changes that occurred as of January 2026 for medical were the reinstatement of assets and the medical expansion freeze,” Armo said, and she listed key dates: emergency-only adult dental for some immigrants beginning July 2026; six-month redeterminations for many adults starting January 2027; a reduction in retroactive coverage to one month for certain adults in January 2027; reinstated work/community engagement requirements for some adults in 2027; a July 2027 premium for some adults with unsatisfactory immigration status; and co-pays ranging $1–$35 for adults over 100% of the federal poverty level in October 2028.
Linda Gorman of the Central California Alliance for Health described how the Alliance plans to minimize coverage loss by combining education, navigation and outreach. “We want to make sure that our members receive clear and concise messaging with a clear call to action,” she said, outlining a three-step approach: update county contact information, watch for renewal mail, and submit any required paperwork promptly.
Gorman said the Alliance is running a multi-channel campaign that includes paid broadcast and connected-TV ads, mobile and digital out-of-home advertising, billboards, social media (TikTok and YouTube), radio in parts of the region, flyers for outreach teams and providers, messages at MVD locations, quarterly print newsletters and direct text reminders to members approaching renewal dates.
She provided a schedule of media ‘flights’ designed to refresh creative and avoid fatigue: a first flight through April 19, a pause with digital assets kept live, a summer flight from June through late August, and a final campaign push from Oct. 5 through Dec. 27. The Alliance also said materials will be available in English and Spanish and linked to a landing page with step-by-step renewal instructions and QR codes on printed collateral.
When asked about support for seniors and members who are not tech-savvy, Gorman said the Alliance runs a telephone pilot that walks members through renewals and is training community-based organizations to assist members in person. “We are engaging with community partners that serve our members because we know that a lot of those members go in person and ask questions and look for guidance,” she said.
Armo and Alliance staff said county social services and community-based organizations will distribute flyers, operate outreach teams, provide in-person assistance, and make webinars and training available to partners who help members complete renewals. Officials urged eligible households to check and update their contact information with county offices, know their renewal dates, and return renewal packets promptly to reduce the risk of a lapse.
The Alliance said it serves roughly 430,000 members across five counties (Monterey County, Mariposa, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Merced) and that the effect of the changes will vary by subgroup and by the specific policy phase. The Department of Social Services and the Alliance said they will continue to update outreach tactics and pivot messaging in response to administrative changes or new state guidance.
The briefing closed with announcements about upcoming webinars and in-person supports for community organizations that want to help members complete renewals.
