CalOptima Community Announcement

Updates and

Announcements

September 29, 2021

In This Issue

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines

Community News

CalAIM Stakeholders Convene at CalOptima to Discuss the Initiative’s Impact and Implementation

CalOptima’s Homeless Health Initiative Cited as Example of Efforts to Improve Homeless Health Outcomes

iPads Available to Orange County Seniors

Community Health Worker Medi-Cal Benefit

Orange County Office of Care Coordination Encourages Response to Federal Survey on Homelessness

Close up of doctor hands with covid-19 booster shot syringe showing thumbs up - concept showing of recommendation of 3rd dose vaccination for immune weakened people.

This issue highlights COVID-19 booster shots, the County of Orange Social Services Agency COVID-19 vaccine clinics and co-administration of the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Also learn about CalOptima’s Homeless Health Initiative, stakeholders’ convening at CalOptima to discuss CalAIM, Community Health Worker Medi-Cal benefit, iPads available to Orange County seniors and Orange County Office of Care Coordination encourages response to federal survey on homelessness.

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

On September 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for boosters for those over the age of 65 and high-risk individuals. The California Health and Human Services Agency released a COVID-19 Vaccine Action Plan that outlines how the state will administer booster doses to eligible Californians, as well as continue an equity-centered focus on eligible but unvaccinated individuals and expand operations once more Californians are eligible. The OC

Health Care Agency (HCA) expects to begin offering booster shots after receiving approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and the California Department of Public Health.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

The County of Orange Social Services Agency Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana regional centers are hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Walk-ins are welcomed. Minors ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Click here to access the flyer for more information.

Covid-19 Vaccination. Asian Male Patient Getting Vaccinated Against Coronavirus Receiving Covid Vaccine Intramuscular Injection During Doctor s Appointment In Hospital. Corona Virus Immunization

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine

The OC HCA encourages all residents over the age of 6 months to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu. According to the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics, flu vaccines can be safely co-administered with COVID-19 vaccines for both eligible children and adults. Click here for the HCA update.

Community News

CalAIM Stakeholders Convene at CalOptima to Discuss the Initiative’s Impact and Implementation

On Wednesday, September 22, a limited number of health networks, community-based organizations and other stakeholders convened at CalOptima’s office to share input on the impact and implementation of the Department of Health Care Services’ California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative.

The event included an overview presentation by CalOptima leaders, including Chief Executive Officer Richard Sanchez, Interim Executive Director, Program Implementation Michael Herman, and Executive Director, Clinical Operations Tracy Hitzeman, R.N., as well as breakout-session discussions facilitated by CalOptima staff.

For more information on CalAIM, click here.

CalOptima’s Homeless Health Initiative Cited as Example of Efforts to Improve Homeless Health Outcomes

A recent article from the Orange County Register on outreach and legislative efforts to address health care for the homeless, cites the success of CalOptima’s Homeless Health Initiative as an example. Data from April 2018 to March 2021 shows that the initiative — a collaborative effort to bring needed health care services directly to CalOptima members who are homeless — improved health outcomes for homeless individuals in Orange County, including :

Homeless Response Team reduced the number of homeless people that visited emergency rooms or check into hospitals by nearly 25%
Clinical Field Team on-call urgent care services increased and the number of homeless people that visited a specialist by 60% and a primary care provider by 10%

To read the article, click here.

Community Health Worker Medi-Cal Benefit

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) hosted a stakeholder meeting on the proposed January 2022 launch of Community Health Worker services as a Medi-Cal benefit. The PowerPoint presentation is now available on the DHCS website and can be accessed here. DHCS is welcoming written feedback to the proposal via email at Medi-Cal.Benefits@dhcs.ca.gov and has announced a second meeting on November 3, 2021.

iPads Available to Orange County Seniors

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a program to offer iPads, set-up and training to Orange County older adults age 60 and over. Those interested are encouraged to apply by calling the Orange County Office on Aging at 1-800-510-2020. Click here to learn more about eligibility criteria.

95 year old woman is sitting in the living room and is typing on a mobile divice or ipad

Orange County Office of Care Coordination Encourages Responses to Federal Survey on Homelessness

The Orange County Office of Care Coordination is encouraging participation in a survey by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). USICH is in the process of creating a new Federal Strategic Plan and is seeking input. USICH invites feedback from anyone, particularly people who have experienced homelessness; people who serve the lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, black indigenous, people of color, or veteran communities; and people whose work involves the justice system. Responses accepted through Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

How to Contact CalOptima During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CalOptima 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.

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