CenCal Health

A new health plan is launching on the Central Coast just before federal lawmakers move forward with major cuts to Medicaid, a change that could affect how some seniors and people with disabilities access care.

Santa Barbara County might soon have to change the way it runs its public health clinics. The move could potentially affect local immigrant families that rely on them.

The San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a grant of $1.7 million-dollars from CenCal Health, which is the MediCal Healthcare plan for San Luis Obispo County. The grant will be used to address housing and homelessness in the county.

CenCal Health manages plans for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. This month it has distributed $5.5 million to local hospitals, mental health clinics and other programs.

CenCal Health is the Medicaid managed care plan for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.Two new mandates include: a work requirement of 80 hours per month, and a requirement to requalify for Medi-Cal eligibility every six months.