By Staff Report Sunday, October 12th, 2025

CenCal Health, which serves as the designated Medi-Cal managed care plan for residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, 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 began on Oct. 15 with coverage starting Jan. 1. 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.

“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.”

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.”