01
Foster care at 18+
You may qualify if you were in foster care in any state on your 18th birthday or later.
Free health coverage pathway for eligible youth
Stay covered
until 26.
A modern guide for former foster youth in California who may qualify for free Medi-Cal coverage. Check your basic eligibility, learn the sign-up paths, and prepare what to say when contacting the county.
$0
Coverage cost for eligible former foster youth.
26
Coverage may continue until your 26th birthday.
4M
County aid code often used for FFY Medi-Cal coverage.
Who this page is built for.
The coverage group is intended for young adults who were in foster care at age 18 or older and need continued access to health care while transitioning into adulthood.
02
Live in California
The program pathway applies to former foster youth who currently live in California.
03
Under 26
The coverage is designed to keep eligible former foster youth covered until age 26.
Instant eligibility pre-check.
This is not a final benefits decision. It helps you prepare the right next step before contacting your county.
Two practical ways to sign up.
Use the path that is easiest for you. If you apply through the county, be specific that you are requesting the Former Foster Youth coverage group.
Go to Covered California
Start the health coverage application and answer the foster care question carefully.
Answer “yes” if applicable
If you were in foster care at age 18 or older, mark the foster care eligibility question correctly.
Review before submitting
Make sure your basic information is correct before final submission.
Call your local Medi-Cal enrollment office
Ask to enroll in the Medi-Cal Former Foster Youth coverage group.
Mention out-of-state foster care if relevant
The county may need to verify foster care history with another state.
Ask for MC 250A
This is the simple one-page form used for the county application route.
Ask about 4M aid code
Former Foster Youth coverage is commonly associated with the 4M aid code.
Copy-ready phone script
Hi, I am a former foster youth and I want to enroll in the Medi-Cal Former Foster Youth coverage group. I was in foster care at age 18 or older, I currently live in California, and I am under 26. Can you help me apply using the MC 250A form and confirm whether I should be assigned the 4M aid code?
Resources built for action.
Use these quick links as placeholders or connect them to your official resource URLs.
FAQ.
Short answers for the most common enrollment concerns.
Former foster youth coverage is not based on income. The county may still need identity or residency details, but income should not decide this coverage group.
Tell the county which state you were in foster care in. The county can verify whether you were in care at age 18 or older.
You should clearly state that you are a former foster youth. The county is expected to verify the foster care history.
Ask to enroll in the Medi-Cal Former Foster Youth coverage group, request the MC 250A form, and ask whether the 4M aid code applies.
Need a cleaner path? Start with the checker.
Answer three questions, copy the call script, and contact your county or apply online. Keep this page as a preparation tool before submitting any official application.