Be careful of Medi-Cal renewal scams!

If you are trying to renew Medi-Cal coverage for you and your family, be careful of Medi-Cal renewal scams. Watch out for people who are trying to take your money.

You will never have to pay to renew or apply for Medi-Cal. If someone asks you to pay them for helping you with your Medi-Cal application, this is a scam! Do not give anyone money related to your Medi-Cal application or renewal. Always think carefully about where you share your information.

Here is what you can do to protect yourself and others from Medi-Cal scams.

Only use trusted sources to apply for or renew your Medi-Cal.

You should only fill out an application or renewal packet if you can confirm that it is from an official source.

Some scammers pretend to call from real companies so that they can trick you. You should also be careful if it’s a company you have not heard of. This could mean that the company is not real, and the call is a scam. If you get a call that you think is a scam, we have a guide on what you can do next.

Please note: We (the Alliance) are texting our members to let them know that they need to renew their Medi-Cal and update their information with the county. This is not a scam. The Alliance is here to support you! You can call us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 800-700-3874. If you need language assistance, we have a special telephone line to get an interpreter who speaks your language at no cost to you. For the Hearing or Speech Assistance Line, call 800-735-2929 (TTY: Dial 711).

To apply for Medi-Cal for the first time

You can apply online at Covered California or contact your local county office to apply by mail, phone, fax, email or in person. For more information on applying for Medi-Cal, visit our Medi-Cal page.

To renew your Medi-Cal

Contact your local county office in person, by phone or by mail. You can also update your contact information online at www.coveredca.com or www.benefitscal.com.

You may get renewal paperwork from your county in the mail. It will come in a yellow envelope. You can fill this paperwork out and return it to your county office.

For more information on renewing your Medi-Cal, please visit our Update Your Medi-Cal page.

Contact information for county offices

Get in touch with your county office to safely apply for or renew your Medi-Cal.

Merced County Human Services Agency

Locations:

Phone number: 855-421-6770 (TTY: Dial 711)

Mailing address: 

Merced County Human Services Agency
P.O. Box 112
Merced, CA 95341

Monterey County Department of Social Services

Locations:

Phone number: 877-410-8823 (TTY: Dial 711)

Mailing address:

Monterey County Department of Social Services
1488 Schilling Pl
Salinas, CA 93901

Santa Cruz County Human Services Department

Locations:

Phone number: 888-421-8080 (TTY: Dial 711)

Mailing address: Use either the Santa Cruz or Watsonville address above.

Report scams

If you think something is a scam related to Medi-Cal, please report it to the California Department of Health Care Services.