State Approval Process Delays Launch of New Medi-Cal Plan

The launch of CalViva Health, a new Medi-Cal managed health care plan in Fresno, Kings and Madera counties, has been delayed from Oct. 1 to Feb. 1 because the Department of Health Care Services still is negotiating reimbursement rates with CalViva, state officials announced last week. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. The state approval process has been "complicated by the state budget," CalViva CEO Greg Hund said.

• "New Valley Medi-Cal Plan Awaits State Approval" (Anderson, Fresno Bee, 9/19).