Medi Cal Report Changes - 10 day requirement

Income, household, and address changes need to be reported within 10 days.^{22 CCR § 50185}

Start Here – What Changed?

Choose the situation that best matches what happened in your household.

My Income Changed

New job, fewer hours, unemployment, retirement income, or self-employment income.

See What to Report

I Lost My Job

Job loss can affect income, eligibility, and whether you qualify for other coverage.

See FAQ

My Household Changed

Marriage, divorce, pregnancy, birth, adoption, or someone moving in or out.

See What to Report

I Moved

A new address or county can affect your case, notices, and managed care plan options.

See Steps

I Got a Notice

If Medi-Cal sent you a letter or asked for documents, do not ignore it.

See Document Help

Important: Medi-Cal changes often need to be reported within 10 days. If you are not sure whether a change matters, it is safer to review it right away.

Need Help With a Medi-Cal Change?

Many people are not sure what has to be reported, what documents are needed, or whether a change could affect eligibility.

Visit BenefitsCal.com

Visit our Webpage on Uploading Documents to Benefits Cal.com

Why Reporting Changes Matters

If your case information is outdated, you may get the wrong notices, have delays, or risk problems with your Medi-Cal eligibility.

You may miss important notices

If your address changed and was not updated, you may not receive requests for information or renewal notices.

Your eligibility may be reviewed

A change in income or household size can affect who in the household still qualifies for Medi-Cal.

Your health plan may change

Moving to a different county or changing case details can affect plan enrollment and provider access.

What Changes Should Be Reported to Medi-Cal?

Income went up or down
You started a new job or lost a job
You moved to a new address or county
You got married or divorced
You became pregnant or had a baby
Someone moved into or out of the home
You gained other health coverage
You received a notice asking for information

Good Rule of Thumb

If the change affects your income, home address, family members, or other insurance, review whether it should be reported to Medi-Cal.

Common Documents You May Need

Proof of income

Pay stubs, unemployment statements, self-employment records, pension statements, or benefit letters.

Proof of address

Utility bill, rental agreement, official mail, or another accepted proof showing your current address.

Household documents

Birth certificate, marriage record, divorce papers, or other documents related to the household change.

Notice from Medi-Cal

If you got a letter asking for specific proof, keep that notice and respond as soon as possible.

How to Report a Change to Medi-Cal

1. Identify the change

Figure out whether the change involves income, address, household size, or other health coverage.

2. Gather your proof

Collect the documents that show what changed so you are ready if the county asks for verification.

3. Report promptly

Do not wait. Medi-Cal changes often should be reported within 10 days of the change.

4. Save copies

Keep screenshots, upload confirmations, and copies of the documents you submitted.
How to report change of Income to Medi Cal Video
- How to report a change VIDEO
Medi Cal Contacts
BenefitsCal: How to request support from your caseworker VIDEO

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring a letter from Medi-Cal or the county
Waiting too long to report a move or income change
- stgenssa.sccgov.org/ Rept Change 10 Day
Assuming a different agency automatically updated Medi-Cal
Sending incomplete proof or not saving copies
Confusing Medi-Cal rules with Covered California rules

On Covered California Instead?

Covered California has different reporting rules. If you are not on Medi-Cal, see our separate page on reporting changes to Covered California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report losing my job to Medi-Cal?
- Usually yes. A job loss may change your income and may also affect what kind of coverage you qualify for.
Do I have to report income changes to Medi-Cal, or only changes to my annual income?
- Report income changes that may affect your eligibility within 10 calendar days. The reporting requirement is not limited to changes in your estimated annual income. Do not wait until your annual renewal to report a change.Sources: 22 CCR § 50185(a)(4)(B) and DHCS: Update Your Information.
What if my freelance income varies and I go over the Medi-Cal limit for one month?
- One month above the income limit does not automatically mean you will lose Medi-Cal. For MAGI Medi-Cal, the county can consider your current monthly income and your reasonably projected income over the next 12 months. Existing members may also qualify based on their total projected January–December income.When reporting a change, explain that your income fluctuates and ask the county to evaluate the applicable income-budgeting methods. Provide your best supported estimate, including known changes such as unemployment benefits ending.Source: DHCS All County Welfare Directors Letter 25-21, pages 3–6.
If I already reported fluctuating income, must I report every monthly variation?
- Do not assume that an annual income estimate eliminates your reporting responsibility. The general rule requires reporting income changes that may affect eligibility within 10 days. However, the cited guidance does not expressly say whether every routine variation already included in an accepted income projection requires a separate report.
- Ask your county eligibility worker how to report fluctuations for your particular case, and keep a record of the instructions and reports you submit.Sources: 22 CCR § 50185(a)(4) and DHCS Letter 25-21.
Is my Medi-Cal annual renewal based only on what I earned last year?
- No. For MAGI Medi-Cal, current monthly income is the starting point. Depending on your circumstances, the county also considers applicable projected-income methods. Last year’s tax return may help verify income, but renewal is not simply a calculation of the previous year’s earnings.Do not assume that reporting through a CalFresh SAR7 replaces your Medi-Cal reporting responsibilities. Confirm that the county has updated your Medi-Cal case.Sources: DHCS Letter 25-21, pages 3–6 and DHCS: Update Your Information.The projected-income rules described above apply to MAGI Medi-Cal. Different income-counting rules may apply to eligibility based on age, blindness, or disability.
Do I need to report a new address?
- Yes. Your county, plan options, and important notices may depend on having the correct address on file.
What if I got a letter asking for proof?
- Do not ignore it. Review what was requested, gather the documents, and respond as quickly as possible..
10 day deadline for reporting changes to Medi Cal ^{22 CCR § 50185}