News

Health Net's 'All Are Welcome' Campaign will Assist Newly Eligible Californians with Medi-Cal Enrollment

Date: 12/14/23

Beginning January 1, 2024, a new California law will allow adults ages 26 through 49 to qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status

Health Net, one of California's most experienced Medi-Cal managed care health plans and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced their newest campaign, All Are Welcome. The campaign aims to educate and encourage eligible residents ages 26 through 49 to enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of their immigration status.

"This expansion of Medi-Cal will provide more Californians with the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, and we are committed to ensuring the communities we serve are educated and informed about that opportunity,” said Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer at Health Net, Dr. Pooja Mittal. "As we look to the new year, we remain steadfast in our efforts to increase health equity for the people we serve."

The new law will be enacted January 1, 2024 and will allow an estimated 700,000 Californians to be enrolled, according to the California Department of Health Care Services. Currently, Medi-Cal provides services to over 13 million Californians – or one in three – who rely on the program for health coverage.

Health Net's All Are Welcome campaign will ensure that thousands of adults are aware of the upcoming change in Medi-Cal eligibility and the resources available to assist them in enrollment. The multi-channel campaign will use paid advertising, social media, grassroots marketing at dozens of cultural and community events, earned media and engage community-based organizations to help spread the word.

The campaign will also dispel misconceptions about Medi-Cal, such as the myth that accessing health benefits impacts future immigration status. According to the state of California the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services do not consider health, food and housing services a part of the public charge determination. This means many government funded benefits and services – including Medi-Cal benefits – will not impact an individual's immigration status, residency and naturalization or trigger an alert to federal authorities. The exceptions are long-term residential care in a nursing home or another facility, such as mental health institution care, paid for by the Medi-Cal program.

To learn more about Medi-Cal eligibility or enroll in Medi-Cal, visit BenefitsCal.com.