Please be aware of significant changes to CalFresh eligibility that will impact Orange County residents. Effective April 1, 2026, certain categories of noncitizens previously eligible for CalFresh no longer qualify. These include asylees, refugees, parolees, battered noncitizens, trafficking victims and individuals with deportation or removal withheld. 

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) has developed a toolkit, complete with social media copy and graphics, highlighting CalFresh eligibility information. The toolkit and graphics are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Farsi and Arabic. 

You can also share posts about these changes by following SSA on social media and clicking the reshare button. You’ll find SSA on Instagram at @ocsocialservicesagency and on Facebook at facebook.com/OCSSA1. This toolkit and information can be used throughout the next year as these changes go into effect on a rolling basis. You can also find other toolkits and important information on CalFresh and Medi-Cal changes on the SSA website at ssa.ocgov.com. 

On June 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interim final rule implementing Medicaid work requirements under H.R. 1, requiring certain adult applicants and recipients to complete 80 hours per month of work, education, job training or community service to keep coverage. The rule applies to able‑bodied, non‑pregnant adults ages 19–64 enrolled through the ACA expansion up to 138% of the federal poverty level. States must implement the policy by January 1, 2027.

The rule includes health‑ and circumstance‑based exemptions, covering people who are pregnant, postpartum, disabled, medically frail, American Indian or Alaska Native, caregivers of young children, those with disabilities, and individuals already meeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work rules.

Supporters argue the policy reduces waste, fraud, and abuse and promotes independence. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians and Primary Care Collaborative, oppose the rule, warning it will restrict access to care and increase administrative burden.

Concerns include:

• Extremely narrow “medically frail” definition, requiring proof that a condition directly prevents meeting 80 hours of work.
• Self‑reporting is allowed only temporarily; states will later need to verify exemptions through claims data and documentation.
• Increased barriers for patients with serious conditions, who may now need to demonstrate they are “sick enough” to qualify.
• Millions are projected to lose coverage, despite most Medicaid adults already working or facing barriers to work.
• High costs for states, which must build new systems under tight timelines, are partially offset by a one‑time $200 million federal appropriation.

For more information, please read the CMS news release here. 

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with Smile, California, is raising awareness about the Medi-Cal Dental benefit changes effective July 1, 2026. On that date, adult members aged 19 and older who currently receive full-scope benefits, but do not meet federal immigration status requirements, will no longer receive full-scope dental benefits and will transition to emergency-only dental coverage. Some groups will still receive full dental benefits, even if they do not qualify for federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal, including individuals under age 19, people who are pregnant, including one year postpartum, and former foster youth under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday. A DHCS FAQ offers more information. 

SUN Bucks Summer Food Program for Children Is Available

California’s Summer EBT program, known as SUN Bucks, has returned. SUN Bucks helps families with school-age children buy groceries during the summer months when kids might not have access to school meals. A federal law, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, was passed in December 2022 and created Summer EBT nationwide. California passed a law in July 2023 to join the program. The California Department of Social Services is the lead agency implementing the program, in partnership with the California Department of Education. This food program provides families with $40 per month for food in June, July and August ($120 total) when children do not have access to school meals. Children can get SUN Bucks if they qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application or if they get CalFresh, CalWORKs and/or Medi-Cal (certified at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level), including homeschooled children ages 6–18 years. Participating in SUN Bucks does not affect a family’s immigration status. CalOptima Health is sharing this information broadly on social media throughout the summer, as well as in our electronic newsletters to community stakeholders and providers. Information on the program can be found on the CDSS website.

CalOptima Health is continuing to prepare to launch a Covered California plan, effective January 1, 2027. Staff are engaging with Covered California’s Plan Management Advisory Group in advance of implementation and are preparing for upcoming system testing between Covered California and CalOptima Health. Staff will be meeting with Covered California leadership on June 15 to discuss CalOptima Health’s recent application submission and rate position. In addition, staff continues to respond to questions from the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on our filing to expand the scope of CalOptima Health’s current Knox-Keene Act license. Operational implementation activities are also progressing, including information technology solutions and regular onboarding sessions with delegated health networks. Finally, in collaboration with our marketing agency, staff recently completed focus groups in English, Spanish and Vietnamese to test advertising concepts. 

It’s awards season, and CalOptima Health’s Communications team received 32 awards for outstanding communications, marketing and advertising work. This includes 15 Health Care Communicators of Southern California Finest Awards, 10 Telly Awards (video/television), five national Healthcare Ad Awards and two ADDY Awards. These awards recognize the creation of effective advertising campaigns, a comprehensive website redesign, meaningful member story videos, an inspiring Report to the Community and more. 

On Wednesday, May 20, CalOptima Health convened its second stakeholder meeting for the Orange County Health Care Workforce Development Collaborative. During the meeting, partners across Orange County came together to develop cross-functional activities and initiatives that address the persistent health care gaps affecting Orange County’s Medi-Cal population. Stakeholders focused on three strategic priorities: 1) building the health care workforce, 2) closing the behavioral health gap and 3) expanding clinical training capacity.

Join us for the conclusion of the collaborative on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when participants will finalize the solution framework and provide recommendations for future workforce development initiatives. Please contact strategicdevelopment@caloptima.org by June 12, 2026 for more information.  

This collaborative, led by the Strategic Development team, is part of CalOptima Health’s multi-year $50 million investment dedicated to strengthening Orange County’s health care workforce so our members can access timely, high-quality and equitable care.

Individuals who are covered by both Medi-Cal and Medicare could qualify for CalOptima Health OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Medi-Cal Plan. Learn more about this special plan at our upcoming in-person presentation. 

CalOptima Health | 505 City Parkway West, Orange

• Wednesday, June 10, 1–2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 18, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m

Superior Grocers | 1710 S. Main St., Santa Ana

• Wednesday, June 10, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Wednesday, June 17, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Wednesday, June 24, 10 a.m.–Noon

Presentations are only offered in English, and light snacks will be served.

To learn more, view event flyers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

CalOptima Health OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Medi-Cal Plan, offers members a flex card (OneCare &more card) to purchase over-the-counter items (and in some cases, groceries) in-store and online. Additionally, the health rewards members could earn in the form of a physical gift card in previous years are now added to the flex card. Members can earn rewards by completing certain health care tests or screenings, then submitting an online form on this page.

To use the flex card, a member must first activate the card by texting ACTIVATE to 53746, calling 1-855-263-6673 (TTY 711), or visiting andmorehealth.com/onecare. Many members have not yet activated their cards and are missing out on the benefits. If members need help, please encourage them to call OneCare Customer Service at 1-877-412-2734 (TTY 711).

OC Community Resilience Fund to Support Households Affected by Garden Grove Hazmat Incident

As part of the Garden Grove Hazmat Incident response, Orange County United Way via 211OC is administering the OC Community Resilience Fund to support households impacted by the evacuation orders. Through the fund, eligible households may receive a one-time $500 benefit to help address immediate needs resulting from the evacuation. Residents access the program through 211OC, where specialists verify residency within the impacted area and collect basic documentation to confirm eligibility. The intent is not to assess losses or damages, but to ensure philanthropic resources are directed at households affected by the evacuation.

In addition to administering the fund, 211OC continues to connect residents to food, housing, financial assistance and other essential community resources as needs arise.

Additional information and FAQs are available here.

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Workshop Addresses Health Goals

In this workshop, participants will learn about specific needs as well as evidence-based approaches, including clear, proactive recommendations by clinicians that address patient health goals to improve cancer control in Orange County.

When: Wednesday, June 10

Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom Webinar

• 1.5 CME and CE credits
• Registration is required, please RSVP.
• For questions, contact continuingeducation@caloptima.org.
• For more information, please see the flyer.

Childhood Asthma Workshop Provides Resources

This course will focus on the most recent National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines and provide updated information on the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. It will also focus on the roles of lung function monitoring, asthma action plans and pulmonary in controlling asthma in the pediatric patient.

When: Wednesday, June 24

Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom Webinar

• 1.5 CME and CE credits
• Registration is required, please RSVP.
• For questions, contact continuingeducation@caloptima.org.
• For more information, please see the flyer.