CalOptima Health’s 2025 Report to the Community will be mailing soon to 1,000+ community leaders and stakeholders. The 48-page report highlights the impacts and accomplishments of the past year, working with the Board and our partners to achieve results and transform the delivery of care to our members. Special sections cover Caring for Members, Supporting Providers, Engaging Our Community, Investing in New Programs and Raising Awareness. The center spread features a fold-out with photos and key information about our Back-to-School Health and Wellness Fair. Readers can scan QR codes to watch our cancer campaign commercial and media coverage. 

The report highlights how CalOptima Health stands out through expanded benefits, increased provider support and pioneering programs that have transformed members' lives. Key achievements featured include the historic $526.2 million provider rate increase, expansion of the Street Medicine Program to Anaheim and Costa Mesa and launch of the $50.1 million cancer screening awareness campaign. The report details record community engagement, with staff participating in or sponsoring more than 320 events across Orange County in 2024. 

Notable investments include nearly $30 million in workforce development grants and $160.3 million to create over 1,200 new housing units. The report also highlights new programs like telehealth behavioral health services and features member stories demonstrating our commitment to serving nearly 1 million members with excellence and dignity.

To view the full report, visit caloptima.org/2025report.

CalOptima Health has launched Round 4 of its Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP), offering significant funding opportunities for homeless prevention initiatives. The program features two funding streams: Equity Grants up to $50,000 and Systems Change Projects ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million. 

A total of $5.5 million in funding is available, with $500,000 allocated for Equity Grants and $5 million for Systems Change Projects. The grant application portal opened on January 22, and interested organizations must submit their applications by March 5, 2025. 

For additional information or to access application materials, visit the CalAIM webpage or contact the CalAIM Program Development team at calaimgrants@caloptima.org.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved an ordinance change allowing CalOptima Health to pursue participation in Covered California, marking a significant expansion of health coverage options for Orange County residents. This new initiative, set to launch in January 2027, will help ensure continuity of care for members who fall in and out of Medi-Cal eligibility annually.

"This step reflects our commitment to serving our community," says Michael Hunn, CalOptima Health CEO. "By offering a Covered California plan, we aim to provide ongoing coverage to members so they can continue receiving services from their trusted providers at affordable premiums." 

The expansion addresses a critical need in Orange County, where approximately 15,000 residents experience changes in Medi-Cal eligibility annually. Members will now have the option to maintain their CalOptima Health coverage through Covered California, preventing disruptions in care and unexpected medical expenses. 

The initiative also benefits families with mixed coverage needs, allowing all family members to access the same provider network. CalOptima Health's participation in Covered California will strengthen its role as Orange County's safety net provider while maintaining its commitment to high-quality, affordable care. View the press release here.

Last month, CalOptima Health celebrated the grand opening of a new WellSpace at Marina High School in Huntington Beach. The WellSpace is part of CalOptima Health's School Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP), which invested $25.5 million in mental health school interventions in all 29 Orange County school districts. Ten WellSpaces are funded through CalOptima Health's SBHIP Incentive Program. The grand opening of Marina High School's WellSpace marks the ninth WellSpace to open and the last one will open later this month. The WellSpace is a centralized location on campus that provides students with a safe space to practice social-emotional learning skills and de-escalate mental health concerns. WellSpaces are intended to help students develop resilience, perseverance and adaptability. 

The H4H Foundation recently donated 5,000 blankets to our Street Medicine Program. The blankets were distributed to members experiencing homelessness in Garden Grove, Costa Mesa and Anaheim. CalOptima Health is extremely grateful for the generosity, especially during the colder months.

CalOptima Health is a sponsor and participant in The Pulse of Orange County, an inaugural event to bring prominent nonprofit leaders, public sector partners and key stakeholders together to examine the critical role of data in transforming social services and care coordination within our community. The event will highlight trends and insights about the pressing needs and challenges facing our community.

• Tuesday, February 11
• 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Norma Hertzog Community Center
• 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa



Register here.

CalOptima Health is proud to be one of the sponsors of Orange County Grantmakers' 2025 Orange County Equity Report. Be the first to learn how key indicators of equity are connected to the work being done in our communities to address the root causes of disparities, such as income inequality, educational attainment, affordable housing and more.

When: Thursday, February 6

Time: 3–6 p.m.

Location: The Cove at UCI, 5270 California Ave. #100, Irvine

Registration is required: Click here.

The UCI Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders is hosting the Management of Challenging Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders webinar series. This Continuing Medical Education (CME) event is designed to increase knowledge and competence of primary care providers in caring for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and challenging or interfering behaviors. It is a four-part virtual event via Zoom with two available day options. Registration is required.

When: Tuesday, February 18, 6–7 p.m. or

Wednesday, February 19, Noon–1 p.m.

Location: Zoom (you will receive a webinar ID and password after registering)



Visit UCI for more information.

Click here to register.

UCI Center for Health Care Management and Policy is hosting their 34th Annual Health Care Forecast Conference, "A Look Ahead: Health Policy and Emerging Challenges in Health Care Delivery." The conference will present a near-term forecast of the health care economic and political landscape. Presentations will include examining recent Federal and California health policy developments. Panelists will analyze emerging interventions addressing the obesity crisis, as well as the promise and peril of AI in health care. The conference is in person and requires registration, and seating is limited. The conference serves as a unique venue for dialogue among government representatives, business leaders and academics that share their perspectives and forecasts on key economic and political issues impacting the health care industry.

When: Thursday, February 20

Time: 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location: The Beckman Center, 100 Academy Way, Irvine



Visit UCI for more information.

Click here to register..

Join CalOptima Health for a day dedicated to your health and family fun activities. Learn about community resources for basic needs, health and wellness and mental health resources.

Event Highlights:

• Apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal
• Free health and dental screenings
• Free food distribution (while supplies last)
• Free distribution of naloxone, a life-saving medicine that can revive someone experiencing an overdose

When: Saturday, March 1

Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Location: Crown Valley Community Center, 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel



Effective January 1, 2025, individuals who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal can now enroll once per month into CalOptima Health OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Medi-Cal Plan. This is exciting news for duals who have the opportunity to enroll into OneCare on a monthly basis. If you have Medicare and Medi-Cal, you need a health plan that fits your life. Now CalOptima Health OneCare as two different plan options for members to select from:

• CalOptima Health OneCare Complete — Our original plan offers $0 copays on medical and hospital services and all covered prescription drugs. It includes many extras, such as a fitness benefit, comprehensive dental, more vision care, a flex card for over-the-counter (OTC) items and groceries and more.



• CalOptima Health OneCare Flex Plus — Our new low-cost plan is designed for flexibility, offering $0 doctor visits and hospital stays. It also includes generous extras such as a larger flex card allowance for OTC items, more vision care, comprehensive dental, a fitness benefit and more.

To be eligible for CalOptima Health OneCare, a member must be:

• Age 21 and older
• Living in Orange County
• Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
• Receiving Medi-Cal benefits

You can explore the benefits of each plan here.

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 presentations: 

Delhi Center | 505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana

• Wednesday, February 12, 10 a.m.–Noon

CalOptima Health | 505 City Parkway West, Orange

• Tuesday, February 11, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Friday, February 14, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Friday, February 21, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Thursday, February 27, 10 a.m.–Noon

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

• Thursday, February 6, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 11, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, February 13, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 18, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, February 20, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 25, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, February 27, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.

Presentations are only offered in English, and light snacks will be served. To learn more, view event flyers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. For questions and to RSVP, call CalOptima Health OneCare at 1-800-466-0524.

OC Free Tax Prep provides free tax preparation services to thousands of low-income residents while also conducting outreach and education to raise awareness of and access to tax credits, like the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), which results in more money returned to our community, often bolstering a struggling family’s ability to provide for their children, pay for rent, food, and medical expenses, while simultaneously stimulating the local economy.

OC Free Tax Prep is part of Orange County United Way’s United for Financial Security℠ initiative, which is helping local families gain financial stability, transition from surviving to thriving, and work toward self-sufficiency.

To learn more about the program, view flyers in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean.



For location, please visit OCFreeTaxprep.com/locations

Smile California is launching and celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month in February with the new “Healthy Smile Adventure” campaign. The campaign is designed to alleviate fears associated with dental visits and reimagines dental offices as “Healthy Smile Land”, complete with themed stops like Fluoride Falls, Sealant Island and X-Ray Cove. These imaginative stations highlight preventive care while making dental visits approachable and enjoyable for families. 

To learn more, visit Smile California.

The Orange County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has issued a recall alert on children's jewelry sets sold on Amazon.com from January 2022 through March 2024. Products were found to contain levels of lead and cadmium, posing potential health risks to children. Please take precautions and refer to the recall notice for further details.

Please help share this information and contact Orange County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 714-567-6220 if you have any questions or concerns

Find out more about this recall here.

First 5 of Orange County is requesting input on Child Welfare in Orange County. The OC Community Pathway survey will help to better understand Orange County residents' beliefs about child abuse and neglect. What is learned from this survey will be used to develop a plan to reduce child abuse and neglect in Orange County. 

Click here for the survey.