CalOptima Health invests $6.1 million to help residents keep medi-cal coverage
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
CalOptima Health approved $6.1 million to help residents of Orange County, California, maintain their Medi-Cal health insurance coverage.
The organization launched the Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC campaign to prevent people from losing benefits due to paperwork errors, reporting delays, or confusion over eligibility rules. These changes are expected to take effect in January 2027. The funding supports two specific initiatives. One is a Community Enrollers Academy managed by the Community Health Initiative of Orange County.
Groups that complete a three-month training at the academy can apply for grants of up to $200,000 over two years. The second is a two-year pilot program that could distribute up to $4 million to four different organizations, with each receiving up to $500,000 per year. This pilot focuses on new work and community engagement requirements. CalOptima Health serves nearly 795,000 people in the county.
The agency noted that while statewide enrollment exceeded 15 million, many people now face stricter eligibility reviews after pandemic protections expired. Some adults may now need to prove they are participating in work, education, or volunteer activities while keeping their income reports current. The academy and pilot programs are expected to begin in April 2027.
The county already invested $7.1 million to support 14 local organizations, including Providence Mission Hospital and Latino Health Access, in helping people enroll in the program. CalOptima Health also plans to use the broader Community Reinvestment Program to fund advertisements, social media campaigns, and educational videos through 2028.
