With rules about Medi-Cal renewals changing, it’s more important than ever to be on top of keeping your coverage. But renewing your Medi-Cal doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Our San Francisco Health Plan (SFHP) Service Center team is here to guide you through the process, so you and your family continue getting the care you need.
To help answer your questions and plan your next visit to the Service Center, we spoke with Mandy, Site Operations Lead at the SFHP Service Center.
Mandy, thanks for sitting down with us. Before we get into Medi-Cal renewals, let’s talk a little about the Service Center. What can your team help with?
Mandy: Our team can help with many different things. First of all, the Service Center is open not only to SFHP members, but all San Francisco residents as well. Our team speaks many languages, and we also offer free translation services.
We can help people apply, enroll and renew for health coverage and other programs, including:
- Medi-Cal
- Healthy San Francisco
- SF Medical Reimbursement Account/SF City Option
- CalFresh
- Covered California
We’re open Tuesday-Thursday for in-person appointments, and we also offer phone appointments Monday-Saturday. Go to sfhp.org/service-center to see our full hours.
That’s great to hear! Now, when it comes to renewing Medi-Cal coverage, how does that process start?
Mandy: When it’s time to renew, Medi-Cal members will receive a renewal packet in the mail. This packet contains all the information they need to fill out or update.
What kind of information do people have to report in this renewal packet?
Mandy: The renewal packet will ask questions about any recent changes in your life, like:
- If your household size has changed (someone moved in or out of your household)
- If your income changed
- If you got a new job
- If you had a baby or recently got pregnant
These special events can affect your Medi-Cal eligibility. Make sure to report any changes, and also check that your contact information (name, address, phone number, and email) is correct.
How can someone get help from the Service Center to complete this renewal packet?
Mandy: We can help you renew your Medi-Cal in person. There are three ways you can schedule an in-person appointment to get help at the Service Center:
- Go to sfhp.org/service-center
- Call SFHP Customer Service at 1(415) 547-7800, 1(800) 288-5555 (toll-free), or 711 (TTY), Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm
- Visit us in person, and our front desk staff will help you make an appointment. Our address is 550 Kearny Street, Lower Level, San Francisco, CA 94108–right next to the Social Security building
After you make your appointment, you will get a confirmation email with the time and date of your appointment.
What should people bring to their in-person appointment to renew their Medi-Cal?
Mandy: Please bring these documents to have a smooth and successful appointment:
- Your renewal packet
- Your proof of identification (ID)
- Your proof of San Francisco residency
- This could be a utility bill, a rental agreement, a bank statement, or anything that has your name and current SF address
- Proof of income
Together, we will fill out your renewal packet, have you sign it once it’s complete, and submit it online.
Sounds simple! It’s great that SFHP members and all SF residents can get help to keep their coverage and access to care. Anything else you want to share?
Mandy: We’re always happy to help people at the Service Center, but there are other ways that people can renew their coverage. For instance, it’s quick and easy to submit your renewal online at BenefitsCal.com.
To learn how else you can renew your Medi-Cal coverage, find answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and more, visit sfhp.org/renew.
