Recheck California's July 2027 non-MAGI asset limit date when DHCS issues its county letter, and track the renewal phase-in #10542

What

#10375 encodes California's non-MAGI Medi-Cal asset limit of $21,000 for one person, $31,000 for two and $1,550 for each additional member. The rows are dated July 1, 2027, the operative date in WIC 14005.62(f) as added by SB 164 (Statutes of 2026, Chapter 27) section 69. They apply to the aged, blind and disabled, medically needy, Medicare Savings Program and 250% Working Disabled Program limits.

Two items remain open once DHCS issues its implementing guidance.

1. Recheck the start date

• New WIC 14005.62(a)(2) allows the limit only after the director determines that systems are programmed, "and no sooner than July 1, 2027".
• Subdivision (e) also requires federal approval.
• DHCS's Asset Limit FAQ says "Starting July 1, 2027", but no All County Welfare Directors Letter on the 2027 limits had been issued as of October 2026.

When DHCS issues that letter:

• confirm or move the 2027-07-01 rows;
• add the letter as a reference in each of these parameter files:
  • gov/hhs/medicaid/eligibility/categories/senior_or_disabled/assets/limit/{individual,couple}.yaml
  • gov/hhs/medicaid/eligibility/categories/medically_needy/limit/assets/{individual,couple}.yaml
  • gov/hhs/medicare/savings_programs/eligibility/asset/state_limit/{individual,couple}.yaml
  • gov/states/ca/chhs/wdp/eligibility/asset/{base,two_people,additional_person}.yaml

2. Renewal phase-in (modeling limitation)

New WIC 14005.62(b) and 14005.11(b) apply the new limit to people already enrolled only from their first annual redetermination on or after July 1, 2027. PolicyEngine has no redetermination-date input, so:

• the annual variables apply $130,000 / $195,000 for all of 2027 and $21,000 / $31,000 for all of 2028;
• the monthly MSP variable switches every enrollee in July 2027.

If the letter describes the phase-in, consider whether an input (for example, a renewal month) is worth adding. Otherwise this stays a documented limitation.

References

• SB 164 bill text: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB164
• DHCS Asset Limit FAQ: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/medi-cal/help/asset-limit-frequently-asked-questions/