Health Net of California has been selected by the Fresno-Kings-Madera Regional Health Authority to administer CalViva Health, the local initiative Medi-Cal plan.
"We're delighted the regional health authority saw the value of our exceptional partnerships with local doctors and hospitals and our recognized strengths as one of California's largest providers of Medi-Cal benefits and services," said Dave Meadows, vice president of state health programs for Health Net.
When the CalViva Health program is in place, Health Net Medi-Cal programs will be serving contiguous counties from Madera in the north to San Diego in the south. In all, Health Net currently serves more than 702,000 residents in 10 California counties. The health plan also serves more than 150,000 Healthy Families and Healthy Kids beneficiaries in 35 counties.
Health Net will retain its existing downtown Fresno office and expects to open new offices in Kings and Madera counties, said Meadows.
The CalViva Health contract is expected to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2010.