Launch of new healthcare plan for dual-eligible members of Medi-Cal and Medicare

Enrollment begins October 15

This week CenCal Health announced the launch of CenCal CareConnect, a new Medicare Advantage health plan designed to make healthcare simpler for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. Enrollment for the new plan begins October 15, 2025, with coverage starting January 1, 2026. CenCal CareConnect combines Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits into one coordinated plan, offering members a single point of contact, easier access to care, more personalized support, fewer administrative barriers, and enhanced benefits beyond those offered through traditional Medicare.

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CenCal CareConnect combines Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits into one coordinated plan, offering members a single point of contact, easier access to care, more personalized support, fewer administrative barriers, and enhanced benefits beyond those offered through traditional Medicare. (Image courtesy of CenCal Health; used with permission.)

“CenCal CareConnect supports California’s CalAIM initiative, which seeks to transform care delivery by requiring community health plans to offer a single, integrated option for individuals who are eligible for both programs,” said CenCal Health CEO Marina Owen. “However, this new plan is more than a regulatory milestone — it’s a reflection of CenCal Health’s commitment to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

CenCal Health serves as the designated Medi-Cal managed care plan for residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Medi-Cal is California’s public health insurance program that provides comprehensive medical coverage at no or low cost to individuals and families who meet specific eligibility criteria. In contrast, Medicare is a federally-administered health insurance program available to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as some younger individuals with qualifying disabilities. Medicare Advantage (also known as “Part C”) is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to original Medicare for one’s health coverage.

Over the past 18 months, CenCal Health has prepared for the CenCal CareConnect launch through comprehensive team training, outreach to providers, and technology enhancements. “We’ve expanded our provider network, strengthened clinical and operational systems, and hired dedicated team members with Medicare expertise to help with the transition,” said Owen. “CenCal Health is implementing CareConnect in our ongoing effort to elevate healthcare for the most vulnerable in our community. As always, we are grateful to our provider partners who have joined us in this positive new healthcare endeavor.”

Dual-eligible members across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties can contact CenCal Health to get more information on this new Medicare Advantage plan at 1-877-227-3051 (TTY: CA Relay at 711), 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT or at https://www.cencalhealth.org/health-plans/careconnect/.

More information on CenCal Health is available at cencalhealth.org.

About CenCal Health

CenCal Health is the local Medi-Cal health plan that partners with over 1,800 physicians, plus hospitals, clinics and other providers in delivering health care services to more than 240,000 members in its two-county service area – one in three residents of Santa Barbara County and one in four residents of San Luis Obispo County. Marking four decades of serving the most vulnerable, CenCal Health prioritizes cultivating community partnerships; advancing quality and health equity; expanding its service role and reach in the community; and organizing for impact and effectiveness. With a vision to be a trusted leader in advancing health equity so that the communities we serve thrive and achieve optimal health, CenCal Health invites the public to review its 2025 Community Report at CenCal2025.org

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“CenCal Health is implementing CareConnect in our ongoing effort to elevate healthcare for the most vulnerable in our community. As always, we are grateful to our provider partners who have joined us in this positive new healthcare endeavor.”