CA delays Medi-Cal dental cuts until July 1, 2027 for some adults

California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) says the schedule for Medi-Cal dental benefit changes has been delayed. The end of regular dental coverage for some adult Medi-Cal members will now take effect on July 1, 2027.

DHCS explains that starting January 1, 2026, some adults age 19 and older who are not pregnant and not within one year after pregnancy would no longer qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, including dental, vision, and other services. Instead, they would receive restricted-scope Medi-Cal, which includes emergency care.

Under the delayed timeline, starting July 1, 2027, Medi-Cal will not cover regular dental services for the same group of adults—except emergencies. DHCS also says that if someone is enrolled in a Medi-Cal Dental Plan (a dental managed care plan), they will be disenrolled when the July 1, 2027 change takes effect.

DHCS says the change is tied to immigration status and only affects immigrants whose status does not qualify for federally funded Medi-Cal coverage for dental. The change does not apply to children under 19, pregnant people, or foster youth under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday.

For people who applied for Medi-Cal before January 1, 2026, DHCS says they can keep full dental benefits until June 30, 2027. For people who applied on or after January 1, 2026, DHCS says they qualify for restricted-scope Medi-Cal only, which covers emergency dental services and pregnancy-related services.