California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org | 1
JUNE 2023
Medi-Cal Explained:
2024 Managed Care
Plans
Author: Ralph Silber
Medi-Cal Managed Care plans are becoming an
even more critical part of the Medi-Cal landscape,
with increasing responsibility for new services and
management of new populations not previously
part of managed care. In 2024, there will be major
changes in many California counties as to which
Medi-Cal managed care plans operate there.
To help providers and other delivery system stake-
holders understand the coming changes, this fact
sheet describes geographic changes as well as
some unique managed care arrangements. The
information is organized in two ways: by county and
by managed care plan. First, Table 1 lists California’s
58 counties alphabetically and indicates which
Medi-Cal managed care plans will operate in each
county beginning in January 2024. It also indicates
which counties will have a managed care plan either
enter or exit operations in 2024. Second, Table 2
lists managed care plans alphabetically and lists
the counties each plan will operate in beginning in
January 2024.
In addition to the geographic changes, there are
some unique current and upcoming Medi-Cal
managed care arrangements worth calling out:
● In Los Angeles County, L.A. Care Health Plan
subcontracts with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of California Promise Health Plan as plan
partners. In addition, Health Net subcontracts
with Molina Healthcare as a plan partner. Under
a “plan partner” arrangement, members can
choose to receive their Medi-Cal managed care
benefits directly through L.A. Care or Health
Net, or from one of their plan partners.
● In Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties,
CalViva, a public plan, contracts with Health
Net to carry out many health plan functions and
responsibilities.
● In Imperial County, beginning in 2024, the
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, a
new public plan, will contract with Health Net
to carry out many health plan functions and
responsibilities.
● Statewide, beginning in 2024, Kaiser Permanente
(Kaiser) will operate in 32 of California’s 58 coun-
ties under a single, direct Medi-Cal contract
with California’s Department of Health Care
Services. Under this contract, Kaiser will enter
these markets: Fresno, Imperial, Kings, Madera,
Mariposa, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare,
Medi-Cal Explained
FACT SHEET
The California Health Care Foundation is an
independent, nonprofit philanthropy that works
to improve the health care system so that all
Californians have the care they need. We focus
especially on making sure the system works for
Californians with low incomes and for communi-
ties who have traditionally faced
the greatest barriers to care.
We partner with leaders across
the health care safety net to
ensure they have the data and
resources to make care more
just and to drive improvement
in a complex system.
For more information, visit www.chcf.org.
California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org | 2
JUNE 2023
and Yuba Counties. Kaiser already participates
in Medi-Cal in other counties through these two
approaches:
■ Direct contract. Amador, El Dorado, Placer,
Sacramento, and San Diego Counties.
■ Subcontractor to public plan. Alameda,
Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin,
Napa, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino,
San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo,
Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Ventura, and
Yolo Counties.
Of note, special enrollment criteria will apply
for Kaiser Permanente in all counties. For details
please visit 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans on
the Department of Health Care Service website.
County
2024 Plans
Public Plan* Other Plans Major Change
†
Alameda ■ Alameda Alliance
for Health
■ Kaiser Permanente
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
Alpine ■ Health Plan of San
Joaquin
■ Anthem Blue Cross ‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Health Plan of San Joaquin — entering
Amador
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Health Net
■ Kaiser Permanente
Butte ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Calaveras ■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Health Net
Colusa ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Contra Costa ■ Contra Costa
Health Plan
■ Kaiser Permanente ‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
Del Norte ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
El Dorado ■ Health Plan of San
Joaquin
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Kaiser Permanente
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Health Plan of San Joaquin — entering
Fresno ■ CalViva Health
‡
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Kaiser Permanente
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
Glenn ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Humboldt ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Table 1. 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans and Counties of Operation, Alphabetical by County
California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org | 3
JUNE 2023
County
2024 Plans
Public Plan* Other Plans Major Change
†
Imperial ■ Community Health
Plan of Imperial
Valley**
■ Kaiser Permanente ‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
‹ Molina Healthcare — exiting
› Community Health Plan — entering
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
Inyo ■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Health Net
Kern ■ Kern Health
System
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Kaiser Permanente
‹ Health Net — exiting
› Anthem Blue Cross — entering
Kings ■ CalViva Health
‡
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Kaiser Permanente
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
Lake ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Lassen ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Los Angeles ■ L.A. Care Health
Plan
Direct:
■ Health Net
■ Kaiser Permanente
L.A. Care plan partners:
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Blue Shield of California
Promise Health Plan
Health Net plan partner:
■ Molina HealthCare
Madera ■ CalViva Health
‡
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Kaiser Permanente
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
Marin ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente
Mariposa ■ Central California
Alliance for Health
■ Kaiser Permanente ‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Central California Alliance — entering
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
Mendocino ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Merced ■ Central California
Alliance for Health
Modoc ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Mono ■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Health Net
Monterey ■ Central California
Alliance for Health
California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org | 4
JUNE 2023
County
2024 Plans
Public Plan* Other Plans Major Change
†
Napa ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente
Nevada ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Orange ■ CalOptima ■ Kaiser Permanente
Placer ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente ‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Plumas ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Riverside ■ Inland Empire
Health Plan
■ Kaiser Permanente
■ Molina Healthcare**
Sacramento ■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Health Net
■ Molina Healthcare
■ Kaiser Permanente
‹ Aetna — exiting
San Benito ■ Central California
Alliance for Health
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
› Central California Alliance — entering
San Bernardino ■ Inland Empire
Health Plan
■ Kaiser Permanente
■ Molina Healthcare
§
San Diego ■ Blue Shield of California
Promise Health Plan
■ Community Health Group
■ Kaiser Permanente
■ Molina Healthcare
‹ Aetna — exiting
‹ Health Net — exiting
San Francisco ■ San Francisco
Health Plan
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Kaiser Permanente
San Joaquin ■ Health Plan of San
Joaquin
■ Health Net
■ Kaiser Permanente
San Luis Obispo ■ CenCal
San Mateo ■ Health Plan of San
Mateo
■ Kaiser Permanente
Santa Barbara ■ CenCal
Santa Clara ■ Santa Clara Family
Health Plan
■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Kaiser Permanente
Santa Cruz ■ Central California
Alliance for Health
■ Kaiser Permanente › Kaiser Permanente — entering
Shasta ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Sierra ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org | 5
JUNE 2023
County
2024 Plans
Public Plan* Other Plans Major Change
†
Siskiyou ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Solano ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente
Sonoma ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente
Stanislaus ■ Health Plan of San
Joaquin
■ Health Net
■ Kaiser Permanente
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
Sutter ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente ‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Tehama ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
Trinity ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
Tulare ■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Health Net
■ Kaiser Permanente
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
Tuolumne ■ Anthem Blue Cross
■ Health Net
Ventura ■ Gold Coast Health
Plan
■ Kaiser Permanente
Yolo ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente
Yuba ■ Partnership
HealthPlan of
California
■ Kaiser Permanente ‹ Anthem Blue Cross — exiting
‹ California Health & Wellness — exiting
› Kaiser Permanente — entering
› Partnership HealthPlan of California — entering
* In California there are public, nonprofit Medi-Cal managed care plans that are locally governed and publicly accountable. They were
established in state statute and county ordinances to serve Medi-Cal enrollees and support the safety net.
†
A major change is defined as a managed care plan entering or exiting the county. (In 2024, certain counties will transition from California
Health & Wellness to Health Net. However, because both these plans are Centene companies, this is not considered a major change.)
‡
CalViva Health contracts out many health plan functions and responsibilities to Health Net. Community Health Plan of the Imperial Valley
will also contract out many functions to Health Net.
**
Currently, Health Net is a plan partner with Molina in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. This arrangement will end on January 1, 2024.
Source: Author’s review and analysis of 2023 California Department of Health Care Services Medi-Cal documents and interviews with
Medi-Cal managed care key informants.
California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org | 6
JUNE 2023
Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan County
Alameda Alliance for Health Alameda
Anthem Blue Cross Direct: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings,
Madera, Mono, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Tulare, Tuolumne
Plan partner with L.A. Care:* Los Angeles
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan Direct: San Diego
Plan partner with L.A. Care:* Los Angeles
CalOptima Orange
CalViva Health Contracts out most health plan functions to Health Net in: Fresno, Kings,
Madera
CenCal Health San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Central California Alliance for Health Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz
Community Health Group San Diego
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley Contracts out most functions to Health Net in Imperial
Contra Costa Health Plan Contra Costa
Gold Coast Health Plan Ventura
Health Plan of San Joaquin Alpine, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Stanislaus
Health Plan of San Mateo San Mateo
Health Net
†
Direct: Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Sacramento, San Joaquin,
Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne
Subcontract: Fresno, Imperial, Kings, Madera
Inland Empire Health Plan Riverside, San Bernadino
Kaiser Permanente Alameda, Amador, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings,
Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Napa, Orange, Placer, Riverside,
Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San
Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare,
Ventura, Yolo, Yuba
Kern Health Systems Kern
L.A. Care Health Plan Los Angeles; delegates some membership to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Molina Healthcare Direct: Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego
Plan partner with Health Net:
†
Los Angeles
Partnership HealthPlan of California Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino,
Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano,
Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, Yuba
San Francisco Health Plan San Francisco
Santa Clara Family Health Plan Santa Clara
*
L.A. Care Health Plan subcontracts with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan as plan partners. These
plan partners are offered as an option to L.A. Care members and carry out many health plan functions and responsibilities for Medi-Cal
enrollees who select them. However, unlike managed care plans with a direct arrangement, they are subcontractors and do not hold a
contract with the Department of Health Care Services in Los Angeles County.
†
Health Net subcontracts with Molina as a plan partner in Los Angeles. This plan partner is offered as an option to Health Net members
and carries out many health plan functions and responsibilities for Medi-Cal enrollees who select Molina. However, unlike a managed care
plan with a direct arrangement, Molina is a subcontractor and does not hold a contract with the Department of Health Care Services in Los
Angeles County.
Source: Author’s review and analysis of 2023 California Department of Health Care Services Medi-Cal documents and interviews with
Medi-Cal managed care key informants.
Table 2. 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans and Counties of Operation, Alphabetical by Managed Care Plan
California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org | 7
JUNE 2023
About the Authors
Ralph Silber, MPH, is an independent consultant
with more than forty years of experience in the
community health center movement and an affiliate
with El Cambio Consulting. He previously served
as the CEO of the Alameda Health Consortium
and the Community Health Center Network, a
Medi-Cal managed care organization.
El Cambio Consulting provides strategic guidance,
analysis, and management consulting to safety
net health care organizations in California that
are rooted in their communities and committed
to improving health outcomes through persever-
ance and innovation. This includes community
health centers, county public health agencies and
departments, Medi-Cal managed care plans, social
service providers and the foundations and associa-
tions that support their work.
Medi-Cal Explained is an ongoing series on Medi-Cal
for those who are new to the program, as well as those
who need a refresher. To see other publications in this
series, visit www.chcf.org/MC-explained.
