Stay Covered and Keep Healthy
Whether you're preparing for a new school year, planning for the holidays or simply taking steps to stay well, now is the time to ensure every member of your family has access to essential healthcare services. These include routine doctor visits, prescriptions, immunizations, dental care and mental health support. Staying enrolled in a health plan helps protect you, your loved ones and the moments that matter most.
Check Your Enrollment
Taking time to review the status of your health insurance coverage can make a big difference. Even if you’ve had coverage like Medi-Cal, Medi-Care or Covered California in the past, your plan details, eligibility or renewal date may have changed. Checking your enrollment status—especially before the end of the year—can help you avoid any unexpected gaps in care.
It’s important for people of all ages to have current health coverage in place. You can create an online account to receive information on your Medi-Cal eligibility, update your personal information and renew your benefits by visiting BenefitsCal.com.
At SFCHC, we believe no one should have to navigate this process alone. Our dedicated community enrollment specialists are here to help you access and manage no- or low-cost health insurance benefits – so you and your family can stay healthy and feel secure at every stage of life. Reviewing your benefits, and encouraging others to do the same, can bring peace of mind in the months ahead.
Schedule Annual Check-Ups
Routine preventive visits are the foundation of good health. They allow your healthcare providers to detect and address concerns and chronic conditions early—before they become more serious.
As a federally qualified health center for the past decade, SFCHC offers a full range of medical, dental, behavioral health and educational services in a safe and compassionate environment. Telehealth options are also available, depending on your individual needs and concerns. We recommend scheduling the following as part of your family's annual wellness routine.
Adult and pediatric check-ups
School-required immunizations and sports physicals
Recommended vaccinations
Dental and vision screenings
Screenings for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease
Mental and behavioral health check-ins
Understand Your Privacy
When applying for health or social services, many families have questions about how their personal information is used. It’s important to know that federal law generally protects the privacy of individuals who use government-funded programs, such as Medi-Cal and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which provides food assistance to eligible individuals and families. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
Programs like Medi-Cal and SNAP can provide essential support. It’s a good idea to balance the benefits with the risks of sharing information. Only you can decide what’s best for your family.
If a government agency already has your current address, applying for benefits does not increase your risk.
There is no added risk in continuing programs if you are already getting services and have not moved. Dropping out of vital support programs won’t erase the data you have already provided, and keeping Medi-Cal or SNAP will help your family.
You do not need to share everything. When applying for Medi-Cal or SNAP, you do not need to provide the immigration status or social security numbers for family members who are not applying for benefits themselves, and you should not.
The public charge rules have not changed. Medi-Cal and SNAP are not considered in a public charge determination. Note: A public charge is a term used in immigration law to refer to someone who may be considered primarily dependent on government assistance.
Possible Upcoming Changes
Right now, your ability to apply for Medi-Cal, SNAP and other vital programs has not changed. That’s because a court agreement has paused new federal rules that might restrict access to health and social services for certain individuals. This will last until at least September 3, 2025. After that, access to some programs could change for some non-citizens, depending on how the legal case unfolds.
California is one of 25 states actively challenging these changes. Until the court rules, you do not need to change anything about how you apply for benefits. At this time, if you have health insurance coverage, it’s best to stay enrolled. If you’re not covered, be sure to enroll in a plan prior to December 31, 2025. SFCHC will keep monitoring these developments and share any updates.
We’re here for you
Our SFCHC team is here to help. Whether you prefer to be seen in person or through telehealth, we’re here to meet your needs with compassionate medical, dental and behavioral health services. To schedule an appointment, call 818.563.5690 or visit www.sfchealthcenter.org.
