Covered California Boosts Support for Low-Income Members Using Penalty Funds

Covered California is reallocating $15 million from underperforming health insurance plans to launch an initiative designed to enhance the health and wellness of its members. The Population Health Investments (PopHI) program aims to support low-income families through grocery assistance, increased childhood immunizations, and educational investment for children’s futures. Additionally, it aims to bolster primary care practices serving Medi-Cal and Covered California members by refining their management of population health. Dr. Monica Soni, Chief Medical Officer at Covered California, emphasized the goal of improving health outcomes and reducing disparities among enrollees, stating that health extends beyond clinical walls. The initiative includes the Grocery Support Program, Child Savings Account Program, and an Equity and Practice Transformation project. Funded by the Quality Transformation Initiative, PopHI incentivizes health plans to meet specific health benchmarks. The Grocery Support Program provides $11 million to assist 13,000 enrollees with chronic conditions, while the Child Savings Account Program encourages preventive care for young children.