Community forums are taking place in Santa Barbara County this week to help residents better understand upcoming changes to Medi-Cal and other health care services.
More than five local health and community organizations are coming together in Santa Maria on Wednesday to provide residents with one-on-one information and assistance as changes to Medi-Cal take effect over the next several years.
Will Fuller, senior manager with the Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County, said the changes could affect Medi-Cal recipients across the county.
“Everybody that has Medi-Cal could be affected,” Fuller said. “That’s why what we’re trying to do is get the word out to everybody that has Medi-Cal, so that each person can then determine what impacts them.”
Fuller said the forums will focus on several major changes expected in the coming years, including new work requirements.
“The big three changes are there’s going to be work requirements, and so those are going to be starting Jan. 1, 2027, for certain people,” Fuller said.
Another change is expected in 2028, when certain Medi-Cal recipients could be required to renew their coverage every six months instead of once a year.
Fuller also said some Medi-Cal recipients who currently receive coverage through managed care could be transferred to what is known as fee-for-service coverage.
“Another big change is that there’s a group of people that have been getting their Medi-Cal through Cal, and now they’re going to be transferred over to what’s called fee-for-service,” Fuller said.
Although some of the changes will not take effect until next year or later, residents could begin receiving notices about their coverage before those changes take effect.
“The concern is lots of people are going to lose their Medi-Cal, and it’s already happening, and it’s only going to increase,” Fuller said. “The state anticipates close to 1.6 million people in the state could potentially lose their Medi-Cal by mid-2028.”
Fuller said navigating Medi-Cal can already be difficult, and the changes could make it even more important for residents to seek assistance.
“Medi-Cal is so complicated. It was even before all the changes,” Fuller said. “It’s incredibly complicated, and so having the one-on-one support to really hold your hand through your specific situation is vital.”
Francisco Lozano, president of the Mixteco Committee for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, helped organize the event. He said language barriers can make it even more difficult for some families to understand changes to their health care coverage.
“No, it’s complicated. It’s difficult. Even Spanish speakers themselves struggle, so what would it be like for Mixtec families trying to understand the systems when there have been so many changes?”
Organizers say the forums are intended to give residents an opportunity to ask questions, understand how the changes could affect them and receive individualized assistance with their Medi-Cal coverage.
Community members can attend a second forum at the El Camino School auditorium in Lompoc from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, to learn more about the upcoming Medi-Cal changes and receive information and assistance.
