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CalOptima Health Community Resource Fair
$25 Million in Workforce Education Grants
KCAL and ABC7 Cover CalOptima Health
Becker’s Healthcare Payer Issues Roundtable
HCA Director Joins CalOptima Health Board
Mental Health Awareness Month Trainings
April Diabetes Awareness Event
UCI Health Acquires Tenet Healthcare Facilities
PACE Hosts Senior Health and Wellness Event
Orange County Transportation Authority
CalOptima Health Behavioral Health Integration
Full-Scope Medi-Cal Extended to Adults
Share Medi-Cal Renewal Messages
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Community Resource Fair for Medi-Cal and CalFresh Enrollment | |
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Join CalOptima Health for a Community Resource Fair on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Santa Ana College (1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana).
Families can:
- Update Medi-Cal contact information
- Apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal
- Receive free food distribution and diapers (while supplies last)
- Access free distribution of naloxone, a life-saving medicine that can revive someone experiencing an overdose
- Learn about community resources
- Enjoy fun activities, including music, a magician and face painting
View and share event flyers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
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CalOptima Health Awards $25 Million in Workforce Education Grants | |
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CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors has approved nearly $25 million in workforce education grants to seven institutions in Orange County. These grants mark the first phase of the $50 million Provider Workforce Development Initiative, the largest workforce grant ever awarded by CalOptima Health. The Initiative will help to address health disparities and better secure the future delivery of medical and behavioral health care by safety net providers. It also seeks to ease predicted shortages and gaps in the Orange County health care workforce that serves the Medi-Cal population.
“CalOptima Health recognizes that our mission to serve members begins with having a strong health care workforce to deliver quality care,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health. “The challenge of health care worker shortages at organizations across Orange County drove CalOptima Health’s landmark community investment in a $50 million Provider Workforce Development Initiative.”
Orange County-based institutions receiving grant awards in the first phase of funding are as follows:
- California State University, Fullerton
- Chapman University
- Coast Community College District
- Concordia University Irvine
- Orange County United Way
- University of California, Irvine, Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing
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Street Medicine Program Featured on KCAL | |
Providers from CalOptima Health’s Street Medicine Program deliver care to Wyatt (left), who has been unhoused since he was 10 years old.
On April 3, CalOptima Health’s Street Medicine Program was featured on KCAL News. Reporter Rina Nakano joined our Street Medicine team for a ride-along to see how the medical team provides assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Garden Grove. Kelly Bruno-Nelson, DSW, CalOptima Health Executive Director, Medi-Cal/CalAIM described the Street Medicine Program as a medical and a social model combined: “It’s for individuals that are ready to take the next step in their housing journey, taking them literally from street to home.”
CalOptima Health's successful Street Medicine Program has delivered care to more than 200 patients in Garden Grove since launching in April 2023. We look forward to expanding the program to Anaheim and Costa Mesa in August 2024.
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Workforce Program for the Unhoused Featured on ABC7 | |
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Walden Haywood Jr. fills out employment forms. Haywood is a participant in a unique program between CalOptima Health and Chrysalis to help unhoused community members find jobs at homeless shelters.
On April 1, CalOptima Health was featured on ABC7 about a unique program with Chrysalis to help people exiting homelessness find employment in shelters. The segment shared Weldon Haywood, Jr.’s story, one of the participants in the program. “Part of the project was bringing on these potential employers and also paying for this individual’s employment for the first three months so that the employee and employer got to know each other, trust each other, build that rapport, and then that individual could be hired full time,” said Kelly Bruno-Nelson, DSW, CalOptima Health Executive Director, Medi-Cal/CalAIM. Haywood is currently employed by the Illumination Foundation Fullerton Navigation and Recuperative Care Center.
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CEO Participates in Becker’s Healthcare Payer Issues Roundtable | |
Last week, CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunn participated in the Becker’s Healthcare Payer Issues Roundtable in Chicago, a national event that draws together payers from around the country. The roundtable discussion welcomes executives from insurance and health systems to an event focused on the future of care delivery. Hunn spoke on the following two panels: Strategies for Health Plan CEOs in an Evolving Health Care Landscape and The CEO’s Guide to Navigating Disruption and Rethinking Business Models. | |
HCA Director Joins CalOptima Health Board | |
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The new Director of the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), Veronica Kelly, DSW, LCSW, has joined the CalOptima Health Board of Directors in the seat of the HCA director. Her first CalOptima Health Board of Directors meeting was on April 4.
Dr. Kelley has more than 33 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Previously, she was HCA’s Director of Behavioral Health Services, overseeing the public behavioral health system. She also serves as the Alcohol and Drug Administrator for Orange County, which allows the county to receive federal funds to address substance use disorders. Dr. Kelley spent 13 years serving the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, with six years as the Behavioral Health Director. During that time, she led the county’s crisis response and recovery efforts following the 2015 terrorist attack. Dr. Kelley remains active at the state level, addressing behavioral health issues as a Board member of NAMI California and the past president of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association. She is an appointee to the governor's No Place Like Home Advisory Committee and a steering committee member for DHCS’ Community Mental Health Equity Project. Dr. Kelley earned a Doctor of Social Work from Capella University in Minnesota and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California. She is an assistant clinical professor at the Loma Linda University Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, and a part-time lecturer at Cal State Fullerton, School of Social Work.
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Mental Health Awareness Month Trainingseadline | |
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In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the CalOptima Behavioral Health Integration team, in partnership with the Orange County Health Care Agency, is offering a series of trainings on mental health. Training dates and links to RSVP are listed below:
Wednesday, May 8, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. — Adult Mental Health First Aid
Learn how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults age 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person towards appropriate care, if necessary.
Tuesday, May 14, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. — Youth Mental Health First Aid
Learn how to help an adolescent ages 12–18 who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or who is in crisis.
Thursday, May 23, 10 a.m.–Noon — Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Learn why ACEs impact people’s lives, and what we can all do to dramatically improve health and resilience for current and future generations.
All trainings will be held onsite at CalOptima Health’s main building (505 City Parkway West, Orange). Space is limited. For questions, contact Jeni Diaz at jeni.diaz@caloptima.org or call 657-900-1274
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April Diabetes Awareness Event | |
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Join CalOptima Health for The Flavors of Health — an event to show ways to better manage and prevent diabetes — on April 24, 9 a.m.–Noon, at Northgate Market in Anaheim (2030 E. Lincoln Ave.). Staff from CalOptima Health and Northgate Market will explain the different types of carbohydrates, how to balance them and how to read food labels. The event will also feature a live healthy cooking demonstration.
Register by calling 714-247-3203. View and share the event flyer.
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UCI Health Acquires Tenet Healthcare Facilities | |
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As of March 27, UCI Health has acquired six Tenet Healthcare hospitals and other affiliated entities, including:
- Los Alamitos Medical Center Inc.
- Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center
- Lakewood Regional Medical Center Inc.
- Placentia-Linda Hospital Inc., dba Plancentia Linda Hospital
- Pacific Endoscopy and Surgery Center LLC
- First Choice Physician Partners, OCLA
CalOptima Health currently holds a contract with the following hospitals and entities:
- Los Alamitos Medical Center Inc.
- Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center
- Placentia-Linda Hospital Inc., dba Plancentia Linda Hospital
- Pacific Endoscopy and Surgery Center LLC
- First Choice Physician Partners, OCLA
Providers can still refer patients to any of the three CalOptima Health-contracted Tenet hospitals (Los Alamitos Medical Center, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, and Placentia Linda Hospital). They may also continue to refer members to the same specialists who provide services at any of the three contracted Tenet hospitals. There is no impact to already scheduled procedures, and UCI Health has agreed to honor all previously scheduled procedures.
For more information, see our FAQ about the acquisition. For additional questions, please contact CalOptima Health Provider Relations at 714-246-8600 or providerservicesinbox@caloptima.org.
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PACE Hosts Senior Health and Wellness Event | |
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On Saturday, June 8, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m., CalOptima Health PACE will host an open house at our PACE center (13300 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove). Learn how our PACE program helps keep our seniors healthy and independent.
- Take a tour of our PACE center and clinic
- Connect with resources to stay healthy
- Enjoy music, healthy food and fun activities
CalOptima Health PACE’s goal is to provide comprehensive medical and social support services so that participants are able to live safely in their respective communities for as long as possible. If you know an older adult who wants to stay independent and is looking for complete health care, including home care, home-delivered medications and meals through a coordinated all-in-one program, contact our PACE Marketing and Enrollment team at 1-844-999-PACE (7223) or visit www.caloptima.org/PACE.
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Community Spotlight: Orange County Transportation Authority | |
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The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is a safe and affordable public transportation option for people of all ages.
OCTA’s Youth Ride Free pass allows youth ages 6 to 18 to enjoy a stress-free ride to work or school on the OC Bus for free. Parental request forms and passes are available at Orange County K-12 schools, the OCTA store and online. Additionally, senior citizens ages 60 and older can also ride the OC Bus for a discounted price with rates as low as $0.75 per day. A ride on the OC Bus is a reliable option to keep families moving across Orange County safely.
People are at the heart of every transportation choice that OCTA makes. Public engagement through feedback on studies such as the Transit Vision, a 30-year plan for enhancing and expanding public transit service in Orange County and the OC Connect study which focuses on the development of a biking and walking trail in Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
Participation in these studies allows for community members to be a voice in the decision-making process which results in an improved transportation system for everyone. Through collaboration, dedication, and the celebration of Orange County’s diverse communities, OCTA keeps Orange County moving forward.
For additional information on OC Bus and specific routes, visit ocbus.com.
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Department Spotlight: CalOptima Health Behavioral Health Integration | |
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The CalOptima Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) department directly manages behavioral health services for Medi-Cal and OneCare members. The department is comprised of the following teams:
- BHI Clinical Call Center — assists members in accessing behavioral health services, including securing behavioral health appointments for members, following up with members before and after the initial appointment, providing members with information and referrals to community resources, and addressing care management needs.
- BHI Utilization Management — reviews and processes authorization requests for behavioral health services, including prior authorizations and psychiatric inpatient admissions.
- BHI Quality and Programs — supports various projects and initiatives, including regulatory affairs, audits and policies. They assist in the coordination of key strategies to effectively enhance the delivery of behavioral health services. The team also participates in and supports workgroups, activities and projects focused on implementing targeted quality initiatives that improve access to care as well as awareness and understanding of behavioral health services.
- CalOptima Health offers outpatient mental health services to Medi-Cal and OneCare members with mild to moderate impairment of mental, emotional or behavioral functioning. The services include but are not limited to:
- Individual, family and group psychotherapy; psychiatric consultation; medication management; and psychological testing when clinically indicated to evaluate a mental health condition.
- Substance use disorder services, which include Alcohol and Drug Screening, Assessment, Brief Interventions, and Referral to Treatment (SABIRT) provided to members age 11 and older (including pregnant women) by providers within their scope of practice.
- Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) for members age 21 and younger with a recommendation from a medical doctor or a licensed psychologist. BHT services include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and a variety of other behavioral interventions that have been identified as evidence-based approaches and are medically necessary to prevent or minimize the adverse effects of behaviors that interfere with learning and social interaction.
CalOptima Health members can access services directly through a contracted provider or visit our website to find providers or community resources. They can also call the CalOptima Behavioral Health line toll-free at 1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak their language.
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Full-Scope Medi-Cal Extended to Adults Ages 26 Through 49 | |
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On January 1, a new law in California went into effect allowing adults ages 26 through 49 to qualify for full Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status. Other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, still apply. This latest expansion of Medi-Cal means that all Californians now have access to coverage; prior expansions extended coverage to undocumented children, young adults and people over 50. Full Medi-Cal covers doctor visits, prescription medicines, vaccines, mental health care, vision care, dental care, emergency services, referrals to specialists and more. According to the Department of Health Care Services, when an individual applies for these state-funded benefits, their information is only used to determine if they qualify. State laws protect the privacy of their personal data.
Individuals whose immigration status previously limited their access to full Medi-Cal were automatically transitioned from what’s known as restricted Medi-Cal, which only covered them in emergencies.
To check eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal, call the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) at 1-800-281-9799. Share flyers about the Adult Medi-Cal Expansion and an informational video in Spanish from SSA
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Share Medi-Cal Renewal Messages | |
CalOptima Health, A Public Agency www.caloptima.org
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