Transferring Medicaid from California to New Hampshire
You cannot carry California Medicaid into New Hampshire. Each state runs its own program, so the sequence is: close the California case at the end of your move month, then apply with NH Medicaid (Medical Assistance); expansion adults enroll in the Granite Advantage Health Care Program immediately. New residents qualify on income, not on time lived in the state.
Both states cover adults under expansion rules at 138% of the federal poverty level, so if you qualified on income in California, you will likely qualify in New Hampshire too.
Official New Hampshire Medicaid agency: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Gather your documents before the move
You will reapply from scratch: proof of identity, income (pay stubs or award letters), your new address, and immigration documents if applicable.
- 2
Tell California Department of Health Care Services you are leaving
Report your move to your county Medi-Cal office within 10 days; ask for your case to be closed effective the end of the month you leave.
California Department of Health Care Services ↗
Moving week
- 3
Time the closure to the end of your move month
Keep coverage through the month you travel. Your old state's coverage generally ends the month you stop being a resident.
After you arrive
- 4
Apply with New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services as soon as you arrive
There is no waiting period based on how long you have lived there — apply immediately. Processing: up to 45 days.
Online application ↗ - 5
Ask about retroactive coverage
Most states can cover eligible medical bills up to 3 months before your application date — ask when you apply if you had care during the gap.
California vs New Hampshire: the numbers that decide it
| California (old state) | New Hampshire (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Medi-Cal | NH Medicaid (Medical Assistance); expansion adults enroll in the Granite Advantage Health Care Program |
| Agency | California Department of Health Care Services | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services |
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level | 138% of the federal poverty level |
Verified 2026-08-08 (California) and 2026-08-08 (New Hampshire) against the official sources cited below.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full California → New Hampshire checklistCommon questions
Can I use my California Medicaid in New Hampshire while I wait?
Generally no. California Medicaid only pays providers for California residents, and out-of-state care is limited to emergencies. Once you live in New Hampshire, you need New Hampshire coverage — apply immediately and ask about retroactive coverage for bills in the gap.
Is there a waiting period for Medicaid in New Hampshire?
No. States cannot impose a minimum-residency waiting period. You qualify (or not) on New Hampshire's income and category rules from the day you become a resident. The application itself takes up to 45 days.
Can I have Medicaid in two states at once?
No. You can only receive Medicaid from the state where you live. Keeping an old case open while opening a new one can create repayment problems — close the California case effective your move month.
Where do I actually apply in New Hampshire?
Through New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (online application linked above). Official Medicaid pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- DHCS Medi-Cal — accessed 2026-08-08
- BenefitsCal (online application) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NH DHHS Medicaid — accessed 2026-08-08
- NH DHHS Medical Assistance Manual 230.01 — Granite Advantage eligibility — accessed 2026-08-08