May 20, 2020
Social Distancing Doesn’t Mean Social Isolation

The outbreak of COVID-19 has led many to isolate but social distancing does not mean social isolation. Click here to view a video on tips for social distancing by Dr. Edwin Poon, Director, Behavioral Health Integration at CalOptima.

Members interested in learning about mental health services can call the CalOptima Behavioral Health line at
1-855-877-3885 to talk to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users can call toll-free at 1-800-735-2929.
COVID-19 Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants 
The State of California is providing one-time state-funded COVID-19 Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) to undocumented adults who are ineligible for assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and pandemic unemployment benefits, because of their immigration status. The state expects funding to reach 150,0000 undocumented adults.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) selected 12 immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations to help individuals apply for and receive disaster relief assistance in their region. In Orange County, applicants may seek assistance only through these nonprofits:


Applicants will be considered on a first come, first served basis starting on May 18 until funding is spent or until June 30, 2020. Funding is limited, and disaster relief application services and assistance are not guaranteed.

Eligible individuals must be able to provide information that they:

  1. Are an undocumented adult (over the age of 18);
  2. Are not eligible for federal COVID-19 related assistance, like CARES Act tax stimulus payments or pandemic unemployment benefits; and,
  3. Experienced a hardship as a result of COVID-19

Details regarding the DRAI project can be found here . FAQs are here .
 
Great Plates Delivered Extended until June 1
The program is for seniors who are ineligible for other nutrition programs. Participants receive three nutritious meals per day. To learn more about the Great Plates Delivered program click here or call 714-480-6450.
County COVID-19 Resource for
Homelessness Care Providers

The Orange County Health Care Agency has a COVID-19 webpage for Homelessness Care Providers that lists local and state resources. It provides important information on the rapidly evolving public health situation. It also has a video for Project Roomkey and a flier about the Joplin Temporary Alternative Shelter for South Service Planning Area at the former Joplin Youth Center. 
County Adds Four New COVID-19 Testing Sites
The County of Orange has partnered with the California Department of Public Health to launch four new testing sites in the cities of Buena Park, Orange, Santa Ana and San Juan Capistrano. The state sites are powered through a partnership with OptumServe. For patient screening and to register for a COVID-19 test at a state site, click here .

The four state sites are in addition to the 14 clinics in Orange County that offer FDA-authorized COVID-19 testing. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the test, however, a person’s insurance may be billed. Access to the OC COVID-19 Testing Network is for people who do not have a provider or their provider is unable to provide testing. Appointments with a clinic is required to ensure eligibility and availability of testing.

There are no out-of-pocket cost at all four state sites and 14 clinics in Orange County.  Click here for the full press release. Click here for the OC COVID-19 Testing Network clinic list.
Building Digital Citizenship for Children and Families
The Digital Citizenship program provides training for parents about cyberbullying, privacy   and security, social media trends, information literacy and parent/child communication. Common Sense Media is a nonprofit with curriculum to empower students to think critically and behave safely and responsibly as they access the internet and use digital devices. Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books to help parent make informed entertainment choices for their children.
Due to the rapidly changing situation surrounding COVID-19, CalOptima is posting a round-up of federal/state rules, guidance and news related to COVID-19. It will be updated frequently, as we receive information from our regulatory agencies.

Below are recent COVID-19 Regulatory Highlights:
  • CDC Disease Notification – Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associate with COVID-19 (posted 5/14/20)
  • CMS Approval of California’s 1135 Waiver Requests (posted 5/13/20)
  • CDPH AFL 20-43.1 Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) COVID-19 Daily Reporting (posted 5/12/20)
  • CMS COVID-19 – Summary of Recent Actions May 11, 2020 (posted 5/12/20)

For COVID-19 Regulatory Highlights prior to May 11, 2020, please visit the Providers section of our website.
CalOptima Provider Alerts
Below is the recent Provider Alert:

  • Provider Alert: ECHO Diabetes in the Time of COVID-19 (posted 5/19/20)
  • Provider Alert: Orange County COVID-19 Testing Sites Available To CCN Providers (posted 5/15/20)

For Provider updates prior to May 15, 2020, please visit the Providers section of our website.
 
Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact the Provider Relations department by phone at 714-246-8600 or email at [email protected] . 
How to Contact CalOptima During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CalOptima Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs. Members can call Customer Service from the safety of their home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak their language.

  • Medi-Cal toll-free: 1-888-587-8088
  • OneCare Connect toll-free: 1-855-705-8823
  • OneCare toll-free: 1-877-412-2734
  • TTY users can call toll-free at 1-800-735-2929.
  • PACE at 1-714-468-1100 or toll-free at 1-855-785-2584
  • PACE TTY users can call toll-free at 1-714-468-1063.

We are continuing to serve our members through our Customer Service phone lines, as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of transmission. Our buildings are closed to visitors .

CalOptima
505 City Parkway West
Orange, CA 92868
 
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ( PACE)
13300 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
 
County Community Service Center
15496 Magnolia Street, Suite 111
Orange, CA 92610

For CalOptima specific updates on COVID-19, please visit our home page at www.caloptima.org .

Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact the Provider Relations department by phone at 714-246-8600 or email at [email protected] . Providers can also visit the Providers section of our website at: www.caloptima.org/en/Features/COVID19/ProviderCommunication.aspx

 National information can be found on the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) website at  www.coronavirus.gov and local information can be found at the Orange County Health Care Agency (OC HCA) website at www.occovid19.ochealthinfo.com .