Health Net to cancel Medi-Cal assisted living benefits

Health Net, a major Medi-Cal insurer, is set to cancel its assisted living benefits at the end of the year. This decision affects approximately 3,500 Medi-Cal patients, many of whom are elderly or living with cognitive impairments such as dementia.

Other providers, including CalViva Health and Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, have also notified the state of their intent to discontinue these benefits. The assisted living support is an optional benefit under CalAIM, a California initiative designed to stabilize high-cost users and reduce emergency room visits.

Senior advocates and family members express concern that the loss of coverage could lead to increased homelessness or the displacement of vulnerable residents into hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Pauline Shatara, deputy director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, noted that some facilities have already reported residents being dropped off at emergency rooms.