CalOptima Commits $45M To Vaccination Incentives

CalOptima, the public health insurer for medium- and low-income families in Orange County, said that it is spending $45.6 million to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts among its 801,270 members. 

The agency said it will coordinate an outreach program for Medi-Cal members and members experiencing homelessness in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency. 

It will also offer two $25 non-monetary gift cards to up to 700,000 members who receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“As the healthcare plan for 1 in 4 residents in Orange County, CalOptima has a responsibility to encourage members to take action that will fight the pandemic and move our community toward herd immunity,” Chief Executive Richard Sanchez said in a statement. 

A number of large employers such as Trader Joe’s and Instacart have announced similar plans to incentivize workers to get vaccinated. 

High-Risk Populations 

CalOptima has 3,200 members in long-term care facilities and about 50 members in skilled nursing facilities across 70 locations in OC.

About 2,634 or more than 80% of its nursing home residents received the vaccine in 52 of its 70 facilities as of Jan. 27, the agency said.

Nursing facilities host Walgreens and CVS on predetermined dates to administer vaccines; and some of its facilities were scheduled to host their first clinic as late as Jan. 18, while others were nearing their time for the second dose.

CalOptima has also partnered with the County of Orange to host pop-up clinics for vulnerable patient populations such as its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) members.

Pop-up clinics for high-risk populations are invite-only at this time, though the county continues to ramp efforts to vaccinate persons 65 and older.