Medi-Cal Asset Limit 2026: What It Means If You Have Medicare
California reinstated a Medi-Cal asset limit on January 1, 2026, and it drops sharply on July 1, 2027. Here are the DHCS figures, who they affect if you have Medicare, and what to do before your renewal.
If you have Medicare and Medi-Cal, or you’re 65 or older and applying, assets matter again. Under the Medi-Cal asset limit 2026 rules from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), you can generally have up to $130,000 in countable assets as one person, plus $65,000 for each additional person in your household. People who already have Medi-Cal report their assets at their first renewal in 2026. On July 1, 2027, the limit drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two, so it’s worth planning now.
The rules have details and exceptions, so use this as an overview and check your own situation with your county office.
The Medi-Cal asset test for seniors: who it affects
The asset limit applies to what DHCS calls “Non-MAGI” Medi-Cal. That includes:
- Most people 65 and older who have Medi-Cal
- People who have Medicare and Medi-Cal
- The Medicare Savings Programs, which help pay Medicare costs
- Medi-Cal for long-term care, such as care in a nursing home
Who isn’t affected
- People who get SSI. DHCS says people with SSI are not affected by this change.
- Medi-Cal based on MAGI rules. This income-based Medi-Cal, which covers many adults under 65, isn’t part of this change.
If you’re not sure which kind of Medi-Cal you have, your county social services office can tell you.
Why it matters if you have Medicare
Medi-Cal can help with costs that Medicare leaves to you. The Medicare Savings Programs help pay Part B premiums, and the QMB program also helps with Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. For 2026, CMS set the standard Part B premium at $202.90 a month.
If your Medi-Cal or Medicare Savings Program ends, the help that comes with it may end too. That’s why it’s worth getting ready for your renewal now.
Medi-Cal asset limit 2026: the figures
DHCS announced the 2026 limits in its All County Welfare Directors Letter 25-14, and its asset limit FAQ lists the lower limits that start on July 1, 2027:
| Household size | January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 | Starting July 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $130,000 | $21,000 |
| 2 people | $195,000 | $31,000 |
| Each additional person (up to 10) | Add $65,000 | Add $1,550 |
The July 1, 2027 change
The second column is a big drop. Someone who is under the limit today could be over it after July 1, 2027, even if nothing else changes. If your countable assets are between the two figures, talk with your county office well before your renewal that falls after that date, and before you make any big decision about money or property. DHCS also notes that some married couples may qualify for higher limits under spousal impoverishment rules.
Ask your county office who counts as part of your household for this limit, especially if you’re married. If one spouse needs long-term care in a nursing home, different rules may apply to the couple, so ask your county office how your assets will be treated.
Asset limits and the rules around them can change. Before your renewal, check the DHCS asset limit page or ask your county office for the current figures.
What generally doesn’t count
Not everything you own counts toward the limit. In general:
- Your home is generally not counted.
- One car is generally not counted.
Other items may also be exempt or counted in a different way. DHCS and your county office can tell you how a specific asset is treated, so don’t guess. If you’re unsure about something, list it and ask.
When you’ll report your assets
The Medi-Cal asset limit 2026 rules treat current members and new applicants a little differently.
If you already have Medi-Cal
You’ll report your assets at your first Medi-Cal renewal in 2026. Your county may ask about bank balances, property and other assets as part of that renewal. Watch your mail, answer by the due date, and keep your address up to date with the county.
If you’re applying now
New applicants must meet the asset limit when they apply. Have your statements ready before you start the application.
Extra Help is a separate program
Extra Help, which helps pay Medicare drug costs, is a federal program with its own income and resource limits. Those limits change each year, so check ssa.gov or call Social Security. People with Medi-Cal or a Medicare Savings Program get Extra Help automatically. See our guide to Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs.
Giving away money or property
Transfers of assets on or after January 1, 2026 may affect eligibility for long-term care Medi-Cal, because of a look-back review. That can include gifts to family members.
These rules are complex. Before you give away money or property, or move assets around to qualify, talk with your county office or an elder-law attorney. This article isn’t legal or financial advice.
What to do now
- Gather your statements. Collect recent statements for bank, credit union, investment and retirement accounts. Add life insurance policies, records for any real estate other than your home, and vehicle information.
- Watch for your renewal. Keep your contact information current with the county so renewal letters reach you.
- Call your county office with questions. Your county social services office handles most Medi-Cal cases and can explain what counts for you.
- Get counseling at no charge. HICAP, California’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (1-800-434-0222), can help you understand how Medicare and Medi-Cal fit together.
- Plan ahead for long-term care. If you or a spouse may need nursing home care, an elder-law attorney can help you plan within the rules. You may also want to read our guide to PACE in California, a program that helps people who need a nursing facility level of care keep living in the community.
If you have both programs, the asset limit also matters for staying in a Medi-Medi Plan, which is for people with full Medi-Cal. For questions about Medicare itself, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit Medicare.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Medicare Savings Program asset limit in California?
Yes. DHCS says the reinstated limit applies to Non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs, and those include the Medicare Savings Programs. Your county office can confirm how it applies to you.
Will the Medi-Cal asset limit change in 2027?
Yes. DHCS says that starting July 1, 2027, the limit is $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two people, plus $1,550 for each additional person. Until then it stays at $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional person.
Is my house counted for Medi-Cal in 2026?
Your home is generally not counted, and neither is one car. Other assets may be counted or treated differently. Ask your county office or check the DHCS asset limit page for details.
I already have Medi-Cal. When do I report my assets?
At your first Medi-Cal renewal in 2026. Watch for renewal letters from your county and answer by the due date. If you have questions about what to report, call your county office.
What if my assets are over the limit?
Talk with your county office before your renewal is due. It can explain how your assets are counted and what your options are. Don’t give away or move assets without advice first, because transfers on or after January 1, 2026 may affect long-term care Medi-Cal.
Does the asset limit apply to people on SSI?
No. DHCS says people who get SSI are not affected by this change. If you also have other coverage or programs, ask your county office whether anything else changes for you.
Talk with a licensed Boomers agent
A licensed Boomers agent can go over the Medicare plans we represent in your area and check them against your doctors and prescriptions.
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Sources
- Asset limit frequently asked questions (California Department of Health Care Services)
- All County Welfare Directors Letter 25-14 (California Department of Health Care Services)
- Medi-Cal Help Center (California Department of Health Care Services)
- Medicare Savings Programs (Medicare.gov)
- Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs (SSA.gov)
- Medicare Counseling (HICAP) (California Department of Aging)
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