Pulse development · 1 cited source · August 21, 2026
California families face a coverage deadline for assisted living
Health Net plans to end an optional Medi-Cal assisted living benefit at year-end, affecting people whose families may not be able to replace the care at home.
Health Net plans to end its assisted living benefit for members at the end of the year. About 3,500 Medi-Cal patients rely on Health Net to pay assisted living costs, according to documents obtained by CalMatters and interviews with providers. CalViva Health and Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, which contract with Health Net to provide services, have also notified the state that they intend to discontinue assisted living benefits.
The benefit is optional: plans can choose whether to offer it each year. It pays a majority of the 24-hour service costs at board-and-care homes, memory care facilities, or larger group settings, while residents cover room and board. The separate state program has an 18,000 person cap and a three- to four-year waitlist.
Evidence
Each statement shown below is a verified claim this source supports.
- Health Net is canceling its assisted living benefit for members at the end of the year.
- The assisted living support is an optional Medi-Cal benefit that plans opt into and decide annually whether to continue.
- One family cannot afford the roughly $6,000 per month the facility costs and cannot safely meet the care needs at home.
- Approximately 3,500 Medi-Cal patients rely on Health Net to pay for assisted living costs.
- The cancellation is according to documents obtained by CalMatters and interviews with providers.
- CalViva Health and Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, which contract with Health Net to provide services, have also notified the state of their intent to discontinue assisted living benefits.
- The benefit pays a majority of the 24-hour service costs at board-and-care homes, memory care facilities, or larger group settings, while residents cover room-and-board fees.
- The separate state-managed assisted living program has an 18,000 person cap and a three- to four-year waitlist.
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