ORANGE, Calif. (October 19, 2026) — As complex Medi-Cal eligibility requirements go into effect in January 2027, CalOptima Health is investing millions in expanded education, enrollment assistance and navigation services as part of a new “Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC” initiative. The multipronged effort is designed to help Orange County residents understand the sweeping Medi-Cal changes and maintain their health coverage. The effort includes new programs, increased outreach, communications resources, advertising and more.
The challenging environment calls for innovation, and the “Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC” initiative includes two new programs that expand access to trusted community organizations to help residents navigate the new enrollment landscape. Earlier this month, the CalOptima Health Board of Directors approved $6.1 million in funding for a Community Enrollers Academy and a program for Work and Community Engagement Navigation Services.
“The upcoming changes to Medi-Cal eligibility are complicated, particularly for individuals who may already face barriers to maintaining health coverage,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Chair of the CalOptima Health Board of Directors and Supervisor of Orange County’s Second District. “By investing in trusted community organizations and giving them the tools and resources they need, we can increase the enrollment assistance and navigation support for members who need it.”
Community Enroller Academy participants will complete a three-month training and certification program facilitated by Community Health Initiative of Orange County (CHIOC). After completing the academy, participating organizations will be eligible for two-year grants of up to $200,000 each to support community enrollment activities. Interested organizations should prepare to respond to the opportunity in December, with the Academy scheduled to begin in April 2027.
In addition, CalOptima Health will invest up to $4 million in a two-year pilot program to help individuals understand and meet new federal work and community engagement requirements associated with Medi-Cal eligibility. Up to four organizations will receive annual grants of $500,000 to provide individualized navigation services. Assistance may include assessing individual circumstances, developing plans to meet applicable requirements, helping with job applications or enrollment in education and training programs, and obtaining documentation needed for Medi-Cal applications.
This first-of-a-kind navigation service is based on the need for some adult Medi-Cal members to demonstrate compliance with new federal requirements, which may include working, volunteering, going to school or being in job training program, and reporting monthly income, depending on their circumstances.
As part of the “Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC” effort, CalOptima Health is asking community organizations that serve members to use materials from a new online toolkit. It includes multi-language flyers, posters and social media content to raise awareness and boost outreach. Engaging trusted advisors to spread the word about Medi-Cal changes is intended to spur action. The goal for members is three-fold: 1) understand how the new eligibility requirements affect their coverage, 2) respond to correspondence from Medi-Cal and County of Orange Social Services Agency, and 3) seek assistance if they need help.
CalOptima Health is also stepping up awareness of the existing community partners available to help members. A prior $7.1 million investment is funding work by 14 organizations across Orange County that are available to serve residents with Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal support and help them understand how changing requirements may affect their coverage. These organizations include:
“Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC” stems from a $19 million commitment through CalOptima Health’s Community Reinvestment Program to expand Medi-Cal eligibility outreach through 2028. This funding will also support a targeted paid advertising effort to begin later this year. It will include traditional advertising on billboards and bus shelters as well as digital outreach with videos and social media ads.
Efforts to expand the “Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC” effort will continue as activities ramp up in the new year when the changes go into effect. Currently, $5.9 million remains available for future Board-approved outreach activities.
“These investments are about ensuring members have access to the information and support they need to maintain their health coverage,” said Michael Hunn, CalOptima Health CEO. “Our community partners are often best positioned to reach people where they live, work and receive services. Through ‘Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC,’ we are strengthening those relationships to handle member outreach during this unprecedented level of change in the Medi-Cal program.”