Starting April 1, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will return to regular Medi-Cal eligibility and enrollment operations. 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 COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), they should notify SSA as soon as possible by calling 855-541-5411 or visiting https://ssa.ocgov.com  



Support the redetermination effort by joining DHCS’ Coverage Ambassadors, trusted messengers from clinics, Community-Based Organizations and others in the community who can reach Medi-Cal members in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways to connect them with crucial resources and communications to help them keep their health care benefits. 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 

CalOptima Health is hosting two virtual InfoSeries events on Medi-Cal Redetermination for health care professionals and community stakeholders:

• Wednesday, March 29, from 1:30– 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 30 from 9-10 a.m.

Both sessions will cover the same information. Each session will provide an update on the Medi-Cal annual redetermination process, including the timeline, how CalOptima Health members can prepare to report a change in contact information or circumstances and resources for the community. Please register by March 28. 

Peter Bastone is the new Chief Strategy Officer at CalOptima Health. Bastone is a renowned health care strategist, innovator and transformational leader, bringing a wealth of experience in Orange County’s health care community. He will oversee work on CalOptima Health’s five Board-approved strategic priority areas, ensuring CalOptima Health delivers on our vision and mission in service to members, providers and the community. Most recently, Bastone served as Corporate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at KPC Health and previously spent 15 years at St. Joseph Health, serving as President and CEO of Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach. He has also held executive leadership positions in hospitals, health systems and health impact foundations in New Mexico and Virginia. Bastone earned a bachelor’s degree in Physiological Psychology from Princeton University, a master’s degree in Public Health/Corporate Management from UC Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Theology and Health Care Mission from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. He also earned a certificate in Health Care Innovation and Strategy from the Harvard Business School. 

CalOptima Health Chief Medical Officer Richard Pitts, D.O., Ph.D., was interviewed by KFI News about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Orange County is one of only 15 counties nationwide selected to be part of NHANES this year, which will administer mobile examinations through Monday, March 13.  Listen to Dr. Pitts’ Radio Segment.

From left: CalOptima Health Chief Medical Officer Richard Pitts, D.O., Ph.D. and Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunn.

Join CalOptima Health PACE for a Senior Health and Wellness event on Saturday, April 15, from 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. The event will provide information about the PACE program and offer facility tours to prospective participants and their families.

On February 17, families in the city of Anaheim received critical resources from CalOptima Health and other local community-based organizations through the Anaheim Mobile Family Resource Center Program (FRC). CalOptima Health staff hosted a booth and shared information on our health care programs, how families can stretch their food budget through CalFresh to buy healthy food and more. The Anaheim Mobile FRC Program will visit 28 different Anaheim neighborhoods through April. 

On February 21, CalOptima Health joined more than 28 local Community-Based Organizations and vendors for a Mental Health Resource Fair, hosted by UCI. Staff from CalOptima Health’s Behavioral Health Integration department shared information with attendees on the behavioral health resources we provide to our members.

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. Click here for the various options.

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.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added the COVID-19 vaccine to the recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents. The schedule offers parents and healthcare providers guidance but does not mandate the vaccines.

As of February 28, the County of Orange emergency declaration came to an end. The Federal Government also announced plans to end the COVID-19 public health emergency which will take place on May 11, 2023.

SSA is hosting a Community Health & Resources Fair in collaboration with Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. The event will include food distribution and diaper giveaways (while supplies last), specialists to talk about public benefits, and more. Come visit CalOptima Health’s resource booth at the event.

Clients can now manage appointments online for in-person benefits claims processing, virtual benefits claims processing and veteran verification form for driver’s licenses. Book an appointment here.

Should you need any assistance with booking an appointment, email ocvso@occr.ocgov.com or call our office at 714-480-6555.

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.