Caring for Californians: Real People. Real Stories. Real Care.
Every Californian deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care.
California’s health plans are making that a reality—helping millions of people get the care they need when they need it. But health plans do more than provide coverage. They serve as problem-solvers, care navigators, and advocates for a stronger, more efficient health care system that works for everyone.
Through service, innovation, and groundbreaking initiatives, health plans are changing lives—addressing social barriers to care, supporting community wellness, and helping people manage complex health conditions. Health plans also work tirelessly to keep health care accessible and affordable, fighting for policies that expand provider networks, reduce disparities, and make health care more affordable.
Caring for Californians highlights real-life stories of how health plans are making a real difference—helping people navigate complex health challenges, access life-saving treatments, and receive the care they need, when they need it.
Meet the Californians whose lives have been transformed by their health plan.
Meet Richard
Richard was raising two children and working at a large consumer electronics store when heart failure and multiple heart attacks turned his life upside down. His health plan, CalOptima, coordinated every step of his care from managing specialist referrals and paperwork to arranging in-home nursing support. CalOptima connected Richard with the best specialists and approved his transfer to the UC San Diego medical center for a life-saving heart transplant. Today, thanks to CalOptima’s coordinated care, Richard is making the most out of his new heart to live a full, active life.
Meet Sara and Arianna
Sara’s journey as a new mother changed when her daughter, Arianna, was born prematurely with congenital heart disease and underwent nine surgeries. Through CalOptima, Sara was connected with a dedicated program specialist who managed Arianna’s health care. The program specialist coordinated Arianna’s health services, managed her appointments and referrals, and enrolled Arianna in several therapies and treatments that transformed her care. As Arianna’s health improved, so did her energy, joy, and bright personality that shines through every day.
Meet Ma’Lissa
After a troubled early life that included bouts of homelessness, Ma’Lissa needed help securing stable housing for herself and her infant twins. Through a $20 million community housing commitment from L.A. Care, Ma’Lissa was able to secure a home and build the foundation she needed to provide a healthy and stable environment for her children.
“I’m still not taking it for granted,” said Ma’Lissa about her new housing situation. “A roof of your own is very important, because it’s the only place you get to close out the world.” With a new job, home, and outlook on life, Ma’Lissa is working on moving into a larger home with more space for her healthy and happy family.
Meet Caprecia
Caprecia’s life changed at 22 when she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Her diagnosis left her feeling alone, isolated, and uncertain about the future. When her daughter turned 18, Caprecia lost her Social Security benefits and became homeless. With support from Health Net and its partnership with Lutheran Social Services, Caprecia was able to get back on her feet. Health Net’s support not only connected her with a medication and a psychiatrist she could trust, but also helped her afford rent, access food, and find peace and stability in her life.
Marple Manor Residents
Nearly half of California seniors spend over 30% of their income on housing. Health plans like UnitedHealthcare are leading the way through public and private partnerships that expand access to affordable housing across the state, including at Marple Manor in Modesto, where UnitedHealthcare invested over $17 million to revitalize 145 senior homes into modern apartments with renovated kitchens and bathrooms, updated appliances, and on-site services.
“I feel safe here. I feel taken care of. It’s just a great place to live,” said May, a Marple Manor resident. Altogether, UnitedHealthcare has invested over $145 million into statewide housing initiatives, creating over 1,300 homes in 14 communities. When health plans partner with communities, they don’t just build housing – they build lives.
Meet Domonique
After losing her home and suffering a serious injury, Domonique faced massive difficulties getting herself and her family back in a stable home. But with help from Health Net, she got the care she needed — and today, she’s running her own growing business and providing for her kids.
Meet Junior
After spending five years living on the streets of Los Angeles, Junior didn’t know if stable housing or consistent health care were within reach. But through the support of Enhanced Care Management from his health plan (L.A. Care), he now has stable housing and is living in an apartment with his wife, has regular doctor visits, and is reconnecting with his health and future, one step at a time.
Meet Loretta
Loretta, a Health Net health plan member, shares her journey of overcoming health challenges with the support of her health plan. Born with severe astigmatism and partial blindness, Loretta faced daily struggles, which worsened after a heart attack and open-heart surgery. Through Enhanced Care Management, Loretta’s health plan has provided her with vital support that has helped her to regain stability, move into her own apartment, and rebuild her life—calling the experience a “dream come true.”
Meet Gerti
After becoming a new mom, Gerti struggled with postpartum depression and found herself overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood. What made the difference was support from Inland Empire Health Plan’s Maternal Mental Health team. Her caseworker, Katia, who had experienced postpartum depression herself, understood what Gerti was going through and helped her connect to the mental health services she needed. Regular check-ins, emotional support, and guidance through her recovery helped Gerti reclaim her happiness and care for herself and her baby. Her story is a powerful example of how California health plans are supporting mothers through vulnerable times.
Meet Lucas
When Lucas was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer, he faced a frightening and uncertain road ahead – but he didn’t face it alone. His health plan, L.A. Care, provided him with a case manager, Joanne, who became his advocate—helping him schedule critical medical appointments, secure needed authorizations, and navigate the health care system at every turn. From fighting for faster access to specialists to ensuring vital support services were in place, Lucas says his health plan has “done everything I needed.” His story underscores how California health plans go beyond coverage to provide life-changing care coordination and advocacy when it matters most.
Meet Leo
During the devastating California wildfires in January 2025, Linda Snyder, an Aetna registered nurse care manager, reached out to Aetna Medicare Advantage member Leo Cordova, age 88, of Whittier in Los Angeles County to ensure he was doing all right and had the air quality and wildfire resources he needed.
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“I was surprised at first that my health plan was calling me about air quality and the wildfire smoke in my area. My family and I weren’t in the direct burn area, but the smokey air wasn’t good. The Aetna nurse talked to me about some things to do when the air quality is bad or if the wildfires came my way, like putting a wet cloth over my mouth and nose if the smoke makes it difficult to breathe and having a go-bag ready. She also talked to me about finding local air quality reports and how it’s important to stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity as much as possible when the air quality is poor. It was nice that Aetna was concerned, and I appreciated the outreach. This is a good program that is helping at-risk members at zero cost to them.”
The outreach was conducted as part of CVS Health’s national environmental health impact initiative, which is the first of its kind to help people most vulnerable to extreme weather events. The initiative pairs real-time and highly localized forecasting data on air quality, pollen levels, wildfires, and weather with a patient’s medical, pharmacy and demographic data. Aetna registered nurse care managers then use this information to proactively contact at-risk Medicare patients at no charge with personalized recommendations up to several days in advance of an extreme weather event such as heat waves or poor air quality.
Meet Debra
In 2018, Debra Ramos had an epiphany about her health — she weighed 286 pounds, had high blood pressure and asthma, was borderline diabetic and averaged three to four cases of bronchitis and pneumonia per year. After losing her father, she realized that she needed to make some major changes to be around to take care of her mother as she aged.
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Ramos, a member of Blue Shield of California, said she tried almost every diet and weight loss program. But nothing was sustainable, until she found WeightWatchers through Wellvolution, our lifestyle-medicine platform available at no additional cost to most members. Ramos lost 50 pounds in the first six months. Since 2018, she has lost 116 pounds.
WeightWatchers is one of the weight management programs available through Wellvolution, which helps members build healthy habits. Each member gets a customized food plan, tailored to their lifestyle and preferences. With the WeightWatchers app, members can track their food and water intake, as well as exercise and sleep. Notably, WeightWatchers assigns different point values to food and drinks, to help members track and work towards their goals. This includes a plethora of zero-point foods, that includes many fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Members also have access to coaching and community meetings for support.
Now, Ramos’s A1C (a marker for diabetes that measures average blood sugar levels over three months) is at a healthy level, and she no longer needs an inhaler. One big change she’s seen is the ability to ride her bike — but it wasn’t always easy. “The first time I rode a mile, I threw up and I had to use my inhaler,” she said. Ramos and her husband now regularly ride from their hometown of Glendora to Seal Beach, which is 40.2 miles away.
Ramos says WeightWatchers, through Wellvolution saved her life: “I felt like I was on the verge of having a heart attack. I was going to become a full-blown diabetic. I can’t even imagine what my life would be like [without WeightWatchers]. It’s so different now than it used to be.”
Non-scale victories
One of the key learnings Ramos took from WeightWatchers is celebrating non-scale victories — not all success is based on the number on the scale. She cites fitting comfortably into a restaurant booth, and wearing a 16-inch-long necklace her husband gifted her, as two memorable victories.
She continues: “You’re able to tie your shoes more easily. You’re not out of breath walking up the stairs anymore or when you’re playing with your nieces and nephews. These are the small things that you start to notice.”
A new future
“We don’t sit around, we’re always busy, we’re always doing things. We go on hikes now. We’re traveling. It’s a completely different life than what we had before. It’s amazing,” said Ramos.
Recently, she visited her brother in the San Francisco Bay Area and was finally able to join him on a hike. He’d always mentioned he’d love to show the family his favorite spots, but Ramos could never participate because she’d be out of breath and panting. Joining him on a hike this summer was a full-circle moment.
Ramos and her husband are also now able to travel more, and even just got their Global Entry pass for international travel. “It’s been life changing,” she shared. “We’re able to go places, and I fit in an airplane seat.”
Ramos continues: “You don’t ever think about it until you sit in an airplane seat and [realize] ‘Wow, I have room.’ The people next to us had to get an extender for their seat belt. I thought to myself, ‘That could have been me if I hadn’t changed my life.’ If I hadn’t changed the way I was going, that would be me — and I need to be here. I need to be here for my family, to take care of my mom, and to take care of my people. I’m telling you, it’s been life changing.”