CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors meeting on February 2 celebrated the great work of different organizations coming together to better serve our members and the Orange County community. The meeting opened with Orange County Business Council’s (OCBC) presentation of the Public-Private Partnership award to CalOptima Health in recognition of the agency’s work with Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) and private organizations to establish the Be Well Orange Campus. Then, CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunn presented Marshall Moncrief, Chief Executive Officer of Be Well OC, with an Honorable Mention in the Association for Community Affiliated Plans’ (ACAP) 11th Annual Leadership in Advocacy Awards.

On February 3, CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunn and Chief Medical Officer Richard Pitts, D.O., Ph.D., joined other Orange County leaders to celebrate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) mobile exam unit arriving in Orange County. The media event was to raise awareness in the community about participating in the survey if invited, as Orange County is one of only 15 counties nationwide selected to be part of NHANES this year. 

The survey, which will be administered through March 13, conducts interviews and physical examinations with randomly selected participants. For more information, visit the CDC website or call 855-958-0631.

You can help Medi-Cal members keep their health care coverage by becoming a “Coverage Ambassador.” As regular Medi-Cal eligibility and enrollment operations return starting April 1, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is looking for trusted messengers (Coverage Ambassadors) from clinics, Community-Based Organizations and others in the community who can reach these members in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways to connect them with crucial resources and communications to help them keep their health care benefits.  

CalOptima Health members will receive a mailed letter from the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) asking to confirm their contact information as an initial step in the redetermination effort. Community partners and providers can assist by informing Medi-Cal members to expect this letter. If a member has changed addresses or other contact information during the PHE, they should notify SSA as soon as possible by calling 855-541-5411 or visiting https://ssa.ocgov.com. 

Here are resources to help share the message as a Coverage Ambassador: 

• DHCS Coverage Ambassador ListServ
• Medi-Cal Continuous Coverage Toolkit
• DHCS’ Website 
• Keep Your Medi-Cal Website
• PHE Unwinding Plan

On February 9, Goodwill of Orange County leaders gave CalOptima Health staff a tour of their headquarters in Santa Ana including their Training Center for Success, which opened in September 2022. The Training Center for Success is a customized work simulation environment providing hands-on, process-based training, retraining and upskill training to those facing barriers to employment. CalOptima Health staff and Goodwill of Orange County leaders discussed potential partnership opportunities to support our members.

CalOptima Health Executive Director of Medi-Cal/CalAIM, Kelly Bruno-Nelson presented at the California Association of Housing Authorities (CAHA) annual conference on the intersection of housing and health and the steps CalOptima Health is taking to increase housing opportunities in Orange County. CAHA is a statewide association representing over 75 housing authorities throughout the State of California.

CalOptima Health rolled out its OneCare “One Solution. Zero Hassles.” campaign, highlighting OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. The campaign will help share the benefits of enrolling in OneCare, which combines members’ Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits in a single plan. OneCare members can choose from more than 1,500 doctors and specialists in Orange County with no monthly premiums, and no deductible. The plan provides prescriptions, vision coverage, and many other benefits such as unlimited transportation to and from medical appointments. Learn more at caloptima.org/OneCare.

The Orange County Health Care Agency makes it easy for individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There are several ways to find an appointment.

Vaccinations are also available for anyone who is homebound, and transportation services are available for those who need a ride to a vaccination site. If you need help scheduling a vaccination appointment, call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at 714-834-2000.

First 5 Orange County is looking for pediatricians to join them for a one-hour, paid ($50), virtual focus group. The topic of the focus group is children ages 0-5 with emphasis on 0-3, and their level of access to speech therapy services. Individuals interested in participating are asked to provide their availability and email Jacqueline Erickson Russell.

The focus group is seeking: 

• Practicing pediatricians in Orange County
• Experience working with patients ages 0-5 (emphasis on 0-3)
• Pediatricians willing to share ideas on the current and future of speech therapy

Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) is currently conducting their 2023 Community Needs Assessment survey to identify the ongoing and emerging needs in Orange County to better serve the community. Anyone 16 years and older who lives or works in OC can complete the survey. The survey is available in five languages; English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic and Chinese. The survey will close on April 30 and individuals who submit a survey will be eligible for a chance to win a $50 gift card.

The Orange County Public Libraries are offering Orange County adults, ages 19 and over, the opportunity to earn their accredited high school diploma. As part of the program, students can also earn a career certificate in one of ten chosen fields and gain career readiness by preparing a resume and cover letter. Career Online High Schools offer individualized support from certified instructors and academic coaches who are available to assist students every step of the way. Courses are entirely web-based and provide students with the flexibility of 24/7 access to the online learning platform.

The Cold Weather Emergency Shelter at the Independence Park Gymnasium in Fullerton serves adults ages 18 and older. The shelter provides a warm dinner, breakfast, a sleeping mat with blanket in a communal area and access to sanitary facilities, including showers. Participants are unable to walk on or off the shelter property and participants will be provided transportation in the designated shuttle pick-up locations in Fullerton and Anaheim.

California tax payers that earned less than $30,000 may be eligible for a California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) for tax year 2022. The CalEITC must be claimed in order to receive the credits.  

CalOptima Health Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. Our building is closed to visitors. 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. Members can also visit www.caloptima.org and access their member portal.