Committed to Communication

At CalOptima Health, we’re proud to tell our story. We work hard to make sure local stakeholders and the media understand how we serve our members and the vital role we play in the community. Here are links to press releases with the latest information about CalOptima Health.

Dr. Michaell Silva Rose Joins CalOptima Health as Chief Health Equity Officer ORANGE, Calif. (September 25, 2023)
CalOptima Health is pleased to welcome Michaell Silva Rose, DrPH, LCSW, beginning today, as Chief Health Equity Officer, a new leadership role aimed at increasing health equity for our insured members. The California Department of Health Care Services has asked all Medi-Cal managed care plans to appoint a Chief Health Equity Officer by January 1, 2024.

CalOptima Health is a 4-Star Medi-Cal Plan in California ORANGE, Calif. (September 15, 2023)
CalOptima Health is pleased to announce its rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars in the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Medicaid Health Plan Ratings 2023. This is the ninth year in a row that CalOptima Health is among the top plans in the state, representing sustained leadership in serving its Medi-Cal insured members. CalOptima Health provides health insurance to about 980,000 individuals, which represents nearly 1 in 3 Orange County residents.

CalOptima Health Board Approves the Acquisition of First-Ever Street Medicine Support Center ORANGE, Calif. (September 12, 2023)
CalOptima Health plans to acquire, renovate and open a 52-room Street Medicine Support Center in Garden Grove to house individuals, mainly older adults, who qualify and are referred to this housing by our Street Medicine clinical team. The CalOptima Health Board of Directors approved $18.5 million to directly address the housing crisis for CalOptima Health members experiencing homelessness.

CalOptima Health Back-To-School Event Helps Families, Children with Healthy Resources and Medi-Cal Renewal ORANGE, Calif. (August 22, 2023)
To help families prepare their children for the beginning of the new school year, CalOptima Health is hosting a Back-to-School event to celebrate and promote community health and wellness. The event is this Saturday, August 26, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at St. Anthony Claret Catholic Church at 1450 E. La Palma Ave. in Anaheim.

CalOptima Health Board of Directors Approves $15 Million to Fight Opioid Overdose Deaths in Orange County ORANGE, Calif. (August 8, 2023)
To protect members against the tragic effects of the opioid epidemic, CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors has approved spending $15 million from financial reserves to purchase and distribute life-saving naloxone. This unprecedented investment by a Medicaid health plan reflects CalOptima Health’s commitment to combating the opioid epidemic on a local level.

County Supervisor and CalOptima Health Partner on Major Event to Support Access to Health Insurance ORANGE, Calif. (July 25, 2023)
To raise awareness about Medi-Cal renewal and support families in need, Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento and CalOptima Health are hosting a major community event on Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ponderosa Park and Family Resource Center in Anaheim. The event comes at a critical time for ensuring that thousands of Orange County residents maintain their access to health insurance.

CalOptima Health Allocates $107.5 Million to Support Provider Rates and Member Care During the Transition Out of the Public Health Emergency ORANGE, Calif. (June 28, 2023)
Rate increases for Medi-Cal health networks, community clinics and fee-for-service providers offered from July 2023 to August 2024.

CalOptima Health Continues Accelerated Distribution of Reserve Funds, Announces $52.3 Million For Homeless Housing ORANGE, Calif. (June 6, 2023)
An additional $11.5 million supports system change projects to strengthen homeless services.

CalOptima Health Creates First Stipend Program for Master of Social Work Students at Cal State Fullerton ORANGE, Calif. (May 16, 2023)
Funding of $5 million will support more than 100 students across the next five years.

CalOptima Health Addresses Youth Mental Health Crisis with $25.5 Million for School Interventions ORANGE, Calif. (May 8, 2023)
Funding will support new mental health resources for nearly half a million Orange County students.

CalOptima Health Announces Implementation of State Audit Recommendations ORANGE, Calif. (May 2, 2023)
CalOptima Health today announced the implementation of recommendations made by the California State Auditor in a recently released report. The comprehensive audit reviewed an eight-year lookback period from January 2014, when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was implemented, through June 2022.

CalOptima Health Appoints Chief Strategy Officer And Executive Director Of Medicare Programs ORANGE, Calif. (April 27, 2023)
CalOptima Health added two new leaders with decades of health care industry experience to the agency’s executive leadership team.

CalOptima Health Partners With Healthcare In Action To Launch First Street Medicine Program In Garden Grove ORANGE, Calif. (April 4, 2023)
CalOptima Health, in partnership with the City of Garden Grove and Healthcare in Action, launched Orange County’s first street medicine program on April 1 to deliver comprehensive health care to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Medi-Cal Renewals Will Impact Nearly 1 Million Orange County Residents And Put Health Coverage At Risk ORANGE, Calif. (March 21, 2023)
Medi-Cal members will soon be required to verify their eligibility for the program. The annual renewal process, which was suspended during the pandemic, could result in thousands of people losing their health care coverage.

CalOptima Health Warns Members About Unauthorized Door-To-Door Solicitors ORANGE, Calif. (March 14, 2023)
CalOptima Health has received numerous reports from our members about unauthorized solicitations at their apartments and homes.

CalOptima Health Awards $29.9 Million in Grants to Boost Services for Orange County's Homeless ORANGE, Calif. (March 8, 2023)
Reflecting CalOptima Health’s commitment to Orange County’s vulnerable population of people experiencing homelessness, the Board of Directors approved awarding $29.9 million in grants to 29 organizations, including its first-ever funds for permanent supportive housing.

CalOptima Health Appoints Three New Medical Directors ORANGE, Calif. (February 1, 2023)
To continuously strengthen the quality of care, CalOptima Health appointed in January three new medical directors who bring a broad range of medical management expertise to benefit the agency’s nearly 945,000 members.

CalOptima Health Partners With NAMI OC For Mental Health Program Supporting Hospital Discharges ORANGE, Calif. (December 7, 2022)
CalOptima Health has formed a partnership with National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Orange County to launch a peer support program for Medi-Cal members recently discharged from a psychiatric inpatient hospital stay or emergency room visit.

CalOptima Health Launches Largest Cancer Prevention Program with Record $50.1 Million Investment ORANGE, Calif. (December 5, 2022)
CalOptima Health announced a five-year, $50.1 million Comprehensive Community Cancer Screening and Support Program designed to achieve the lowest incidence rate nationwide for late-stage breast, cervical, colon and certain lung cancers.

CalOptima Health Wins Award For Partnership To Improve Behavioral Health Care ORANGE, Calif. (November 18, 2022)
CalOptima Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) received the Public-Private Partnership Award from the Orange County Business Council Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards during an event yesterday.

Marina Esquivel Cisneros of San Juan Capistrano, California Wins 2022 ACAP Scholarship WASHINGTON and ORANGE, Calif. (November 14, 2022)
The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) has named Marina Esquivel Cisneros, a student at Saddleback College, as the winner of its National Scholarship Contest.

CalOptima Health Appoints Linda Lee To New Executive Director Position Focused On Serving Seniors ORANGE, Calif. (October 13, 2022)
Linda Lee, MPH, joins CalOptima Health as Executive Director, Medicare Programs, a new leadership role that focuses on the health of the agency’s vulnerable population of older adults. Ms. Lee brings more than 25 years of experience in managed care and clinical operations.

Funding for Homeless Health Initiatives Expected to Top $123 Million ORANGE, Calif. (September 29, 2022)
State incentive funds will combine with CalOptima Health’s homeless reserve dollars to serve Orange County’s most vulnerable

CalOptima Health Is a Top Medi-Cal Plan in California ORANGE, Calif. (September 15, 2022)
National Committee for Quality Assurance rates Orange County’s community-based health plan among the best for quality care

CalOptima Health, Orange County School Districts Partner to Combat Mental Health Crisis ORANGE, Calif. (September 07, 2022)
New California program redesigns delivery system to improve access to services at schools

CalOptima Seeks to Launch Covered California Plan ORANGE, Calif. (July 21, 2022)
New health plan to provide continuity of care for former Medi-Cal members, more choice for all Orange County residents

CalOptima Approves $64 Million in Added Provider Support ORANGE, Calif. (June 7, 2022)
New budget boosts funding for COVID-19 expenses, maintains Medicare reimbursement and moves forward with digital transformation efforts

Kelly Bruno-Nelson Joins CalOptima As Executive Director, Medi-Cal/CalAIM ORANGE, Calif. (May 24, 2022)
Bruno-Nelson brings decades of experience and commitment to health equity

CalOptima Invests Record $50 Million in Safety Net ORANGE, Calif. (April 13, 2022)
Five-year grant will strengthen Orange County’s network of community health centers

CalOptima Embarks on a Groundbreaking Five-Year Strategic Vision ORANGE, Calif. (March 21, 2022)
Board also approves $100 million in technology to improve health care delivery and $8 million to launch a Street Medicine Program

CalOptima Addresses Food Insecurity Among Members By Promoting CalFresh Enrollment ORANGE, Calif. (March 08, 2022)
Considering increasing food prices and the continued impact of the pandemic, CalOptima has identified that more than 340,000 members may be eligible to access nutritious foods by enrolling in CalFresh, which provides monthly food benefits for eligible low-income people.

Michael Hunn Appointed Permanent CalOptima CEO ORANGE, Calif. (March 4, 2022)
The CalOptima Board of Directors has appointed interim CEO Michael Hunn as permanent CEO of the public agency, effective March 3

CalOptima Grants $1M to Increase Access at Be Well OC ORANGE, Calif. (February 3, 2022)
Funds to increase hours of operation for unique behavioral health treatment center in Orange

CalOptima Launches Mobile Mammography Clinics to Increase Access to Preventive Screenings ORANGE, Calif. (January 25, 2022)
New program designed to serve hard-to-reach Chinese and Korean populations

CalOptima Names New Chief Medical Officer ORANGE, Calif. (January 24, 2022)
Dr. Richard Pitts will lead the health plan’s medical team

CalOptima Enhances Care For Orange County Residents with Start of CalAIM on January 1 ORANGE, Calif. (January 3, 2022)
CalAIM transforms Medi-Cal for the county’s most vulnerable populations

CalOptima Board Approves $45 Million in New Funds for Providers, and Additional Resources for Orange County’s Vulnerable ORANGE, Calif. (December 29, 2021)
Millions committed to offer new provider incentives, fund additional COVID-19 vaccine health rewards and extend additional programs supporting those experiencing homelessness

Wael Younan Named CalOptima Chief Information Officer ORANGE, Calif. (December 6, 2021)
Wael Younan, CISM, CDPSE, has joined CalOptima as Chief Information Officer, effective December 6.

Michael Hunn to Lead CalOptima as Interim CEO ORANGE, Calif. (November 5, 2021)
Hunn brings decades of health care industry experience to new role

CalOptima Earns Consumer Satisfaction Award ORANGE, Calif. (November 4, 2021)
State regulator recognizes CalOptima during annual quality awards program

CalOptima PACE Marks Eight Years in the Community ORANGE, Calif. (October 11,2021)
Program celebrated the milestone with a drive-thru senior health and wellness event

CalOptima Among Top Medi-Cal Plans in California ORANGE, Calif. (September 20, 2021)
National Committee for Quality Assurance Honors Health Plan for Seventh Year in a Row

CalOptima Chief Executive Officer Richard Sanchez To Retire ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Board of Directors to Conduct a Search for a New CEO

Yunkyung Kim Named CalOptima Chief Operating Officer ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2021)
The CalOptima Chief Executive Officer, Richard Sanchez, has appointed Yunkyung Kim, MPH, as Chief Operating Officer of the public agency

CalOptima Promotes Back-To-School Readiness ORANGE, Calif. (August 13, 2021)
Four Vaccination Events Boost Access to Needed Preventive Care, COVID-19 Vaccines

CalOptima Promueve La Preparación Para El Regreso A Clases ORANGE, California (13 de agosto de 2021)
Cuatro eventos de vacunación impulsan el acceso a la atención preventiva necesaria de las vacunas contra el COVID-19

CalOptima Thúc Đẩy Việc Chuẩn Bị Sẵn Sàng Để Quay Lại Trường Học ORANGE, Calif. (Ngày 13 tháng 8 năm 2021)
Bốn Sự Kiện Chích Ngừa để Tăng Cường Việc Nhận Dịch Vụ Chăm Sóc Phòng Ngừa Cần Thiết, Vắc-xin Ngừa COVID-19

National Committee For Quality Assurance Renews CalOptima’s Accreditation Through 2024 ORANGE, Calif. (August 6, 2021)
Heath Plan Awarded 100% of Allowable Points

El Comité Nacional De Control De Calidad Renueva La Acreditación De CalOptima Hasta El 2024 ORANGE, California (6 de agosto de 2021)
El plan de atención médica recibe el 100 % de los puntos permitidos

Ủy Ban Quốc Gia Về Bảo Đảm Phẩm Chất Gia Hạn Chứng Nhận Của CalOptima Đến Năm 2024 ORANGE, Calif. (Ngày 6 tháng 8 năm 2021)
Chương trình Y tế Nhận được 100% Số điểm có thể Nhận

Vaccination and Resource Event Series Concludes ORANGE, Calif. (July 19, 2021)
CalOptima and County of Orange’s events had strong response, with 5,000+ vaccines delivered

Event Provides Record Number of COVID-19 Vaccines ORANGE, Calif. (May 21, 2021)
CalOptima and County of Orange Collaborate to Reach Low-Income Community

CalOptima and Partners to Host Vaccine Clinic and Resource Fair on Saturday MEDIA ALERT: MAY 12, 2021
Up to 1,200 doses may be administered to low-income Orange County residents

CalOptima Launches Trusted Messenger Video Campaign ORANGE, Calif. (April 14, 2021)
Messages in English, Spanish and Vietnamese promote COVID-19 vaccination

CalOptima Lanza Campaña De Video Con Mensajeros De Confianza ORANGE, California (14 de abril de 2021)
Mensajes en inglés, español y vietnamita promueven la vacunación contra el COVID-19

CalOptima Bắt Đầu Chiến Dịch Video Sử Dụng Người Chuyển Thông Điệp Đáng Tin Cậy ORANGE, Calif. (Ngày 14 tháng 4 năm 2021)
Những thông điệp bằng tiếng Anh, tiếng Tây Ban Nha và tiếng Việt để đẩy mạnh việc chích ngừa COVID-19

Pilot Program Aims to Quickly Vaccinate Vulnerable Seniors ORANGE, Calif. (February 5, 2021)
Board-approved COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Pilot Program to reach nearly 20,000 members

El Programa Piloto Tiene Como Objetivo Vacunar Rápidamente a Los Adultos Mayores Vulnerables ORANGE, California (5 de febrero de 2021)
El Programa Piloto de Equidad de la Vacuna COVID-19, aprobado por la Junta Directiva, alcanzará a casi 20,000 miembros

Chương Trình Thí Điểm Để Nhanh Chóng Chích Ngừa Cho Những Người Cao Niên Dễ Bị Tổn Thương ORANGE, Calif. (Ngày 5 tháng 2 năm 2021)
Chương Trình Thí Điểm Chích Ngừa COVID-19 Công Bằng được hội đồng chấp thuận để tiếp cận gần 20,000 thành viên

Be Well OC Debuts First Mental Health and Wellness Campus in Orange County ORANGE, Calif. (January 13, 2021)
Campus Represents First Visible Sign of Systems Change for Mental Health Care in Orange County; Provides OC’s First-Ever Sobering Station

CalOptima's Financial Support Addresses Ongoing Pandemic ORANGE, Calif. (January 8, 2021)
Programs will increase funding for health networks, incentivize vaccination for members and expand infection prevention training in nursing homes.

Apoyo Financiero De CalOptima Para La Pandemia En Curso ORANGE, California (8 de enero de 2021)
Los programas aumentarán los fondos para los planes de salud, incentivarán la vacunación de los miembros y ampliarán la capacitación en la prevención de infecciones en los hogares para personas mayores

Hỗ Trợ Tài Chính Từ CalOptima Để Đối Phó Với Đại Dịch Đang Diễn Ra ORANGE, Calif. (Ngày 8 tháng 1 năm 2021)
Các chương trình sẽ tăng cường tài trợ cho các nhóm y tế, khuyến khích việc chích ngừa cho các thành viên và mở rộng chương trình hướng dẫn phòng ngừa lây nhiễm tại các viện dưỡng lão

CalOptima Employees Award Two Scholarships to Members Pursuing Health Care Careers ORANGE, Calif. (December 21, 2020)
To add a bright spot to the end of a challenging year, CalOptima employees voluntarily contributed funds to sponsor two member scholarships in CalOptima’s fifth annual Scholarship Essay Contest.

CalOptima to Promote COVID-19 Vaccinations ORANGE, Calif. (December 18, 2020)
CalOptima joins the broader health care community in welcoming the arrival of COVID-19 vaccinations in Orange County this week.

CalOptima Promueve La Vacunación Contra El Covid-19 ORANGE, California (18 de diciembre de 2020)
CalOptima se une a la comunidad de atención médica más amplia para recibir las vacunas de COVID-19 en el condado de Orange que llegan esta semana.

CalOptima Khuyến Khích Việc Chích Ngừa Covid-19 ORANGE, Calif. (Ngày 18 tháng 12 năm 2020)
Cùng với cộng đồng chăm sóc y tế rộng lớn, CalOptima đón mừng thuốc chích ngừa COVID-19 đã đến Quận Cam trong tuần này.