In December 2022, the Comprehensive Community Cancer Screening and Support program was funded through CalOptima Health’s share of Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) funding of $50.1 million over 5 years. With these funds, CalOptima Health aims to improve cancer awareness, screening access and treatment experience for members through the largest prevention program investment in our health plan history.
In early 2023, CalOptima Health staff facilitated brainstorming sessions with key stakeholders to assess barriers and opportunities for program development. CalOptima Health also surveyed contracted community health centers to learn about their mammography screening capacity and on-site mammography equipment access.
In May 2023, CalOptima Health partnered with City of Hope in Orange County. These efforts leveraged many key member benefits to ease barriers to cancer screenings such as:
- Using trained health educators for direct outreach to members
- Scheduling transportation to screening centers
- Communicating with providers when members needed more diagnostic screening services
In 2024, CalOptima Health started a comprehensive awareness and education campaign that focuses on members, community and providers. CalOptima Health also awarded funding to support local organizations that aim to increase access to cancer screenings and improve the cancer treatment experience.