Pre-Release Medi-Cal Applications

ACWDL 22-27, MEDIL I-22-26, AB 720

Under Assembly Bill (AB) 720, incarcerated individuals may apply for Medi-Cal (MC) prior to release to ensure immediate access to health care services. Counties must accept and process all pre-release applications timely to ensure continuity of care upon release. 

County Responsibilities

The County shall:

  • Accept and process all pre-release applications.
  • Determine eligibility based on the date of application.    
  • Evaluate Former Foster Youth (FFY) eligibility before all other MC programs.
  • Ensure MC is active or restored on the release date, if otherwise eligible.
  • Not discontinue MC solely due to incarceration.
  • Not delay or deny for lack of verification when the individual cannot obtain documents due to incarceration; request only the minimum information needed.
  • Process changes and suspensions according to the 28‑Day Pre‑Release Suspension Policy.
  • Activate coverage immediately when the correctional facility reports an immediate medical need.
  • Act upon updated release dates as soon as received.

Former Foster Youth (FFY) Eligibility

Individuals identified as Former Foster Youth (FFY) must be evaluated under FFY rules:

  • Must have been in foster care under a qualifying foster care aid code on their 18th birthday.
  • Must be under age 26.
  • Must reside in California.
  • Once FFY criteria are confirmed, approve without requesting income verification or other non‑essential verification. 

Please refer to Medi-Cal Eligibility for Former Foster Youth (FFY) for full requirements.

Application Process

Pre-release applications may be submitted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department (SD), advocacy organizations (e.g., Health Trust, HHS), or through BenefitsCal.

The application date is the date the county receives the pre release application. If the application is received after the individual has already been released, the verified release date must be used as the application date. If the release date cannot be verified, the county must use the date the application was received.

If no mailing address is available, staff must use the Foster Care Bureau office address.

Benefits Identification Card (BIC) and Notice of Action (NOA)

CDCR Applications:
The BIC and all applicable NOAs (approval, denial, and suspension) must be sent to the CDCR facility address in care of the Authorized Representative (AR) prior to the release date. If the individual will be released before receiving the BIC, a paper BIC must be issued and sent to the AR. 


County Jail (SD) Applications:
The BIC and all applicable NOAs must be mailed to the individual’s release address. 

Note: It may take ten (10) business days for the BIC to be generated from MEDS plus additional mailing time.

MC 0025 Form (CDCR Only)

The Transmittal to CDCR Public Benefit Specialist on Determination of a Ward’s/Inmate’s Medi-Cal Eligibility (MC 0025) form is required for CDCR applications only. It is used to: 

  • Confirm the application was received.
  • Request missing information and/or verifications, when needed.
  • Report eligibility status 10 days prior to release date.
  • Notify CDCR at least 10 days prior to release when eligibility cannot be determined before release.
  • Provide updated information when release dates change. 

The MC 0025 must include the inmate CDCR Number on the cover letter. A completed form must be Imaged and must not be given to the applicant. 

Note: County jail (SD) applications must not use the MC 0025.

28-Day Pre-Release Policy

Counties must follow the 28-day suspension rules when processing pre-release applications.
If the individual is expected to be released within 28 days of incarceration, MC must be approved, if eligible, and benefits must not be suspended. 
If the individual is expected to be incarcerated for more than 28 days, or if the release date is unknown and incarceration exceeds 28 days, MC must be approved if eligible, confirm the case is active, and then apply the MC suspension. 

Inter-County Transfer (ICT)

When an FFY individual indicates intent to reside in Santa Clara County (SCC) upon release, SCC must request an ICT from the county currently holding the case. The case must remain active or suspended, as appropriate, throughout the ICT process. MC coverage must be restored effective the release date. An ICT may be initiated by either county.