CalOptima Health continues to prepare for launching a Covered California plan, effective January 1, 2027. Since the prior Board meeting on May 1, the following activities were undertaken:

• Provider network development continues with many provider contracts already executed or in negotiations.
• Following onboarding by staff, Deloitte Consulting LLP began its operational gap analysis to guide the implementation of Covered California processes across all impacted departments.
• Several new and revised policies and procedures documents were drafted to comply with the Knox-Keene Act and Covered California requirements. The Board will consider the new policies on June 5, 2025, ahead of a planned material modification filing to expand CalOptima Health’s current Knox-Keene Act license with the California Department of Managed Health Care. 
• Fiscal Year 2025–26 start-up costs for the implementation of Covered California functions were included as part of CalOptima Health’s full budget package prepared for the Board’s consideration on June 5, 2025.

Our ongoing leader video series spotlights CalOptima Health leaders describing why they are passionate about serving the needs of our community's most vulnerable and talking about the path that led them to CalOptima Health. Our Chief Administrative Officer Veronica Carpenter shares her personal journey, passion for health care and vision for ensuring CalOptima Health continues to meet our members’ needs. Watch her video here.

CalOptima Health’s Equity and Community Health team has been hosting weekly stroller walks. Attendees enjoy helpful tips on maternal and child health and valuable community resources shared by our partners at MOMS Orange County.

Share this weekly opportunity with new moms to walk, connect and learn on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Santiago Park near the Memory Lane entrance (600 E. Memory Lane, Santa Ana). Click here to view the flyer and sign up.

In May, 22 new social workers graduated from Cal State Fullerton’s Master of Social Work program. Through CalOptima Health’s workforce development funding, the students received a $20,000 stipend each year during the two-year program in exchange for their commitment to work at least two years in Orange County’s health care safety net serving Medi-Cal members. We are proud that two students won the Outstanding Graduate Student Award, and another was honored with an Outstanding Research Award. This exemplary group is just the first cohort of sponsored graduates — the workforce program continues for four more years. 

Carmen Katsarov, LPCC, CCM, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Integration at CalOptima Health, was featured in the latest TNT Open Mind interview, where she shares how compassionate care and operational efficiency can go hand in hand. “Mental health care isn’t just about treatment protocols — it’s about creating systems that truly see people,” she explains. The segment highlights CalOptima Health’s $50 million workforce initiative, innovative dyadic care models and partnerships with all 29 Orange County school districts. Click here to watch the full interview.

Orange County Housing Finance Trust, in partnership with CalOptima Health, hosted a special workshop and lunch on SB4, the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act, at Santa Angelina Living Community in Placentia. This Senate bill streamlines the process for religious institutions and nonprofit colleges to develop affordable housing on their property, providing a meaningful way to serve their communities while utilizing underused land. Santa Angelina Living Center was developed by National CORE on land owned by the Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament. CalOptima Health contributed $1.3 million to complete the project’s 65 housing units. CalOptima Health CEO Michael Hunn spoke, connecting housing directly to health outcomes.

On May 6, Chief Operating Officer Yunkyung Kim participated on a panel at the Orange County Business Council’s (OCBC) 2025 Health Care Forum. Joining local hospital and other industry leaders, Yunkyung highlighted CalOptima Health’s focus on workforce development programs to ensure the long-term sustainability of Orange County’s safety net health care system. She also emphasized the importance of our investments in key non-medical interventions as part of the state’s CalAIM initiative, such as housing navigation services and medically tailored meals, to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs. Lastly, she discussed CalOptima Health’s recent decision to participate in Covered California, starting in 2027, to ensure continuity of care for our members churning on and off Medi-Cal.

CalOptima Health recently partnered with the Association of California Cities–Orange County (ACC-OC) to host local city officials and their staff for tours of our PACE Center and one of our Street Medicine Program vans.

CalOptima Health Board Vice Chair and Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, CEO Michael Hunn and PACE and Street Medicine leadership teams also gave opening remarks about the positive impact of these services and the critical need to protect federal and state funding.

On May 30, CalOptima Health partnered with Northgate González Market and Alinea Medical Imaging to host a mobile mammogram event in Anaheim, offering free screenings to CalOptima Health Community Network members and uninsured or community members. The event aimed to increase access to preventive care and support quality measures. Outreach included targeted texts to eligible members to help drive attendance and engagement. By bringing services directly into the community, CalOptima Health helped reduce barriers to care and encouraged early detection. This collaboration with Northgate González Market provided an opportunity to increase our members’ access to care while enhancing relationships with valued community stakeholders serving the Latino population, which represents nearly 44% of our total membership.

CalOptima Health’s Communications team creates a wide variety of branded materials internally and directs advertising campaign development in collaboration with outside agencies. Recognition for this work hit an all-time high in May, winning 25 awards at the 42nd Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, 26 awards at the Health Care Communicators of Southern California Finest Awards and four awards from the Telly Awards. Honored for creativity, impact and design, the winning advertising submissions were from our cancer screening awareness, PACE and OneCare campaigns, and included multimedia assets ranging from TV and digital ads to direct mail and print ads. Among the internal projects recognized were our 2025 Report to the Community, Street Medicine and Workforce Development News Releases, Provider Press Newsletter, Medi-Cal Expansion Campaign, Back-to-School Health and Wellness Fair, and more.

On May 19, KFF Health News ran an article, “Housing, Nutrition in Peril as Trump Pulls Back Medicaid Social Services,” that included a quote from Kelly Bruno-Nelson, DSW, CalOptima Health’s Executive Director of Medi-Cal/CalAIM: “We believe wholeheartedly that housing is health, food is health, so seeing these programs disappear would be devastating.” Since its publication, the article has been widely syndicated. 

CalOptima Health and the City of Costa Mesa are hosting a Community Health Resource Fair on Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can access community resources for basic needs, health and wellness and mental health resources.

Event Highlights:

• Apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal
• Free food distribution and diapers (while supplies last)
• Free health and dental screenings
• Enjoy free family fun activities and a free meal

When: Saturday, June 7

Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Location: Lions Park, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa

See here for English, Spanish and Vietnamese flyers.

Join a free, in-person family conference to learn how to support your loved one with a developmental disability and access helpful resources hosted by the Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders in partnership with the Regional Center of Orange County.

When: Saturday, June 7

Time: 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Location: Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana.

• Registration is required, click here to register.
• This conference is only for RCOC families, space is limited.
• Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
• For questions, please contact tallerenespanol@hs.uci.edu.
• See here for English and Spanish flyers.

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of effective, positive conflict resolution strategies that can be applied across various clinical settings with diverse clinical and non-clinical staff. Explore conflict resolution principles, emphasizing the importance of cultural and linguistic competency to tailor approaches. Through engaging case studies and practical examples, participants will gain insights into identifying conflict sources, employing empathetic communication and leveraging culturally appropriate resolution models.

When: Wednesday, June 11

Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom.

• 1.5 CME and CE credits are offered.
• Registration is required. RSVP by Monday, June 9, here.
• For questions, contact continuingeducation@caloptima.org
• For more information, please see the flyer.

Attend the Orange County State of the Student Forum, hosted by the Orange County Department of Education. Based on the OC Annual State of the Student Report, trends in student data will be shared. The data presented illustrates how Orange County has fared compared to other similar counties, trends over time and disparities within Orange County in academic performance, engagement, school climate and behavioral health. 

When: Thursday, June 12

Time: 1–3:30 p.m.

Where: Sonesta Irvine, 17941 Von Karman Ave., Irvine

• Registration is required, click here.
• See flyer for more details.

OC Healthy Brain Initiative and partners invite you for a day of interactive learning and connection with clinical experts and organizations dedicated to improving brain health. The Brain Wellness Symposium & Resource Fair is open to community members, family, caregivers and service providers.

When: Friday, June 13

Time: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location: Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa

• RSVP by email here.
• To learn more about brain health, click here.
• See English flyer for more details.

CalOptima Health's Equity and Community Health department is hosting a special in-person Lunch & Learn featuring The Cambodian Family, a trusted community organization dedicated to advancing health and wellness in the Cambodian and other immigrant/refugee communities. This session will highlight culturally rooted practices and actionable insights to help deliver more responsive, inclusive care.

When: Thursday, June 19

Time: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Location: CalOptima Health, 505 City Parkway West, Orange (Room: 109-N)

• 1.5 CE Credits Offered
• Space is limited, register by Monday, June 9 here.
• Cambodian lunch will be provided.
• For more details, see attached flyer.

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: 

CalOptima Health | 505 City Parkway West, Orange

• Wednesday, June 4, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Friday, June 6, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Monday, June 9, 1–3 p.m.
• Friday, June 13, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Friday, June 20, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Monday, June 23, 10 a.m.–Noon

Anaheim Central Library | 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim

• Friday, June 6, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 1:30–3 p.m.

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

• Tuesday, June 3, 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 5, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 10, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 12, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 17, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 24, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 26, 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.  

CalOptima Health OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Medi-Cal Plan, now 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 have been able to earn in the form of a physical gift card in previous years are now added to the flex card instead. Members can earn rewards by completing certain health care tests or screenings and 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).

CalOptima Health is sharing a free Home Lead Hazard Removal Program, designed to help families eliminate lead paint hazards and create a safer environment for children and pregnant women. This initiative, in partnership with Azure Community Development, the California Department of Public Health, and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, offers eligible families lead removal services at no cost. Protecting the health and safety of families is a top priority. Lead poisoning remains a significant risk for young children, making this program crucial for protecting vulnerable families.

For more information about the program contact Azure at 323-477-1160 or info@azuredevelopmentco.com

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

The Fair Housing Foundation will be holding a virtual Fair Housing Workshop for the City of Orange. This workshop is free and open to the public. Attendees will learn about how they are protected under fair housing laws, what their rights and responsibilities as tenants and landlords are, and how to deal with tenant and landlord disputes.

When: Wednesday, June 18

Time: 1:30–3 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Registration is required, RSVP here.

Click here for English flyer.