
CenCal Health is a public entity that provides affordable health insurance to low-income residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in California. It is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors and contributes approximately $85 million a month to the local economy through payments to healthcare providers. CenCal Health members have access to a range of benefits, including vision services, cervical cancer screening, and support for substance abuse recovery. The organization has a dedicated team of Member Services Representatives who assist members with questions or concerns about their healthcare coverage and services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | CenCal Health |
| Type | Medi-Cal Assistance, Affordable Health Insurance |
| Coverage Area | Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties |
| Services | Dental Care, Vision Services, Cancer Screening, Sobering Centres, Urgent Care, Emergency Services |
| Funding | Publicly-funded, Contributes $85 million monthly to the local economy |
| Governance | Governed by a 13-member Board of Directors, CEO: Marina Owen |
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What You'll Learn
- CenCal Health is a public entity that offers affordable health insurance in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties
- It administers Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, for low-income residents
- CenCal Health members have access to a range of benefits, including vision services, cervical cancer screening, and fluoride varnish for children
- The organisation contributes around $85 million a month to the local economy through payments to healthcare providers
- CenCal Health has a dedicated team that provides support to members with complex health and social needs

CenCal Health is a public entity that offers affordable health insurance in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties
CenCal Health is a public entity that has been serving the community since 1983 by offering affordable health insurance in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. It is a not-for-profit agency that employs nearly 400 people across offices in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
CenCal Health administers Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, which is a publicly-funded health care program for low-income residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. It provides comprehensive health coverage to 1 in 3 residents of Santa Barbara County and 1 in 4 residents of San Luis Obispo County.
CenCal Health is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors, composed of local government representatives, physicians, hospital representatives, member representatives, other healthcare provider representatives, and business representatives. The Board of Directors sets a bold vision for the organization to be a trusted partner in advancing health equity so that communities thrive and achieve optimal health.
CenCal Health has been contributing approximately $85 million a month to the local economy, primarily through payments to healthcare providers. It also collaborates with community-based organizations to address social determinants of health, increase members' access to medical care, and reduce costs.
CenCal Health members have access to a range of benefits, including cervical cancer screening for women over 21, mammograms for women aged 50-74, mental health services, and dental care for children. Caring nurses are available 24/7 to answer any health questions.
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It administers Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, for low-income residents
CenCal Health administers Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, for low-income residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. It is a publicly-funded health care program for those with limited income and resources. Eligibility is based on several factors, including income, which must be up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for adults and up to 266% FPL for children.
CenCal Health is a public entity governed by a 13-member Board of Directors, composed of local government representatives, physicians, hospital representatives, and business representatives, among others. It operates like a business, managing funds efficiently to carry out its mission. The organisation contributes approximately $85 million a month to the local economy, primarily through payments to healthcare providers.
CenCal Health offers a range of benefits to its members, including coverage for cervical cancer screening for women over 21, mammograms for women aged 50-74, and fluoride varnish treatments for children. It also provides access to Sobering Centres for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and supports members with complex health and social needs through its Enhanced Care Management program.
CenCal Health's HEDIS measurements are independently audited and reported annually to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to validate the quality of care provided by their providers. The organisation has also developed a 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, which includes addressing the social determinants of health and advancing health equity in collaboration with community partners.
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CenCal Health members have access to a range of benefits, including vision services, cervical cancer screening, and fluoride varnish for children
CenCal Health is an insurance plan that offers medical and health services to its members in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. It provides access to a range of benefits, including vision services, cervical cancer screening, and fluoride varnish for children.
CenCal Health is committed to improving the health and well-being of its members by offering high-quality health services, education, and outreach programs. The organisation has been providing affordable health insurance to individuals, students, and families since 1983.
One of the benefits available to CenCal Health members is vision services. This includes access to eye exams, glasses, and other vision-related care. Members can also take advantage of cervical cancer screening, which is recommended for women aged 21 and older. Early detection of cervical cancer can lead to more effective treatment options. Additionally, CenCal Health members have access to fluoride varnish for their children. Fluoride varnish is a safe product recommended by dentists that can be applied to children's teeth 2-3 times per year to strengthen them and prevent cavities.
The organisation also offers Enhanced Care Management, a CalAIM-funded benefit that provides members with complex health and social needs the support of a dedicated care team. This service has helped members secure life-changing medical care and housing assistance. CenCal Health's Member Services team assists members with understanding their plans, accessing after-hours care, and scheduling appointments and transportation.
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The organisation contributes around $85 million a month to the local economy through payments to healthcare providers
CenCal Health is a public entity that provides affordable health insurance for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties in California. It administers Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, which is a publicly-funded health care program for low-income residents.
CenCal Health contributes significantly to the local economy, injecting approximately $85 million each month. This contribution primarily takes the form of payments to healthcare providers serving its members. In the 2022/2023 fiscal year, 91 cents of every dollar spent by CenCal Health went directly towards financing medical benefits and services for its members.
The organisation's commitment to high-quality services is evident through its investment in the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) program. This program addresses the social determinants of health and strives for health equity in the community. For example, through Enhanced Care Management, a CalAIM benefit funded by CenCal Health, members with complex health and social needs can receive support from a dedicated care team. Local provider Doctors Without Walls helped a client secure life-changing medical care and temporary housing following a period of homelessness.
CenCal Health's contributions to the local economy go beyond direct payments to healthcare providers. The organisation also invests in community partnerships and initiatives to ensure its members receive timely and high-quality care. For instance, Sobering Centers, a Community Supports service offered to members recovering from alcohol and drug use, were CenCal Health's most utilised service in 2023.
The impact of insurance organisations like CenCal Health on the local economy is significant. Insurance companies play a vital role in stimulating the economy by providing financial protection to consumers and businesses. They help manage uncertainty and potential loss by covering risks such as vehicle accidents, house fires, and equipment failures. Additionally, insurance companies contribute to economic development by investing the funds they collect. These investments often finance building construction and support various economic development projects.
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CenCal Health has a dedicated team that provides support to members with complex health and social needs
CenCal Health is a public entity that provides affordable health insurance to residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties in California. It administers Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, which is a publicly-funded health care program for low-income residents.
For example, local provider Doctors Without Walls helped a client named Michael secure life-changing medical care and temporary housing following a period of homelessness. Additionally, Sobering Centers, a Community Supports service offered by CenCal Health, helped members recover from the effects of alcohol and drug use. In 2023, these centers were the most utilized Community Supports service offered by CenCal Health.
CenCal Health also collaborates with community-based organizations to address social determinants of health, increase members' access to medical care, and reduce costs. They support programs like Healthy People, Healthy Trails, which aims to increase outdoor activity and connection with nature. CenCal Health works with over 5,000 dedicated providers in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties and contributes approximately $85 million a month to the local economy through payments to healthcare providers.
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Frequently asked questions
CenCal Health is a public entity that administers Medi-Cal (California’s version of Medicaid) in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
CenCal Health covers vision services, including eye examinations and glasses for children aged 20 and under, every two years. Retinopathy eye examinations are provided for those with diabetes. Emergency services are also covered both inside and outside of the service area. Urgent care services are available after hours, nights, and weekends.
You can select a doctor by calling the Member Services Department. If you do not select a doctor, you will be assigned one.
Enhanced Care Management is a CalAIM benefit funded by CenCal Health. It allows members with complex health and social needs to receive support from a dedicated care team.
CenCal Health contributes approximately $85 million a month to the local economy, primarily through payments to healthcare providers.










































