ORANGE, Calif. (October 8, 2025) — In light of new federal and state requirements for Medi-Cal eligibility, CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors approved $19.8 million to expand outreach efforts to ensure Orange County’s vulnerable residents understand how to maintain their health coverage. Moving quickly to implement this effort, CalOptima Health will use the funds to drive a multiyear campaign to raise awareness about the changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility requirements through December 31, 2028.
The changes include new work requirements and more frequent eligibility reviews for certain adult Medi-Cal members, which could result in members losing coverage if they don’t complete the new processes in a timely manner. Given the urgency and significance of such changes, the health plan will implement a broad, multifaceted outreach and education campaign to ensure that eligible members submit all necessary documentation. The campaign will reach Medi-Cal members through local media outlets, flyers, posters, newsletters, social media, community organizations and their health care providers.
“CalOptima Health is committed to ensuring members know how to navigate these new changes, so they don’t experience a gap in their coverage,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health. “Going through the Medi-Cal renewal process will be more challenging, so we will work with our trusted community partners and the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) to do everything we can to make members aware of what to expect and how to get help.”
Also, in a first-of-its-kind collaborative effort, CalOptima Health will partner with SSA to fund the attendance of SSA enrollment staff and the county’s mobile resource vehicle at CalOptima Health-sponsored events, which are often on weekends. A $2 million, three-year agreement will allow SSA personnel to provide Medi-Cal eligible members with on-the-spot assistance for both renewing and maintaining their coverage.
Additionally, CalOptima Health will support Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal activity in collaboration with trusted community-based organizations, health care providers, community health workers, hospital navigators, food banks, faith institutions and others. CalOptima Health will offer $5 million in community enroller grants through December 2026, with an option to continue the program for two additional years. Grantees will be selected through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
Hunn concludes: “These vital and trusted partners will supply the boots on the ground that will help us with hard-to-reach populations. They know best what our members will respond to, and CalOptima Health is deeply appreciative of their commitment to those we serve.”