Health Net Cuts Assisted Living Benefits for 3,500 California Seniors, Raising Homelessness Concerns
Health Net, a major Medi-Cal insurer in California, has decided to discontinue its assisted living benefits for approximately 3,500 low-income seniors. This change, which will take effect on December 31, impacts individuals residing in board-and-care homes, memory care facilities, and similar residences. CalViva Health and Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, which contract with Health Net, are also affected. The benefit helps cover the costs of 24-hour services for these seniors. Health Net stated in filings to regulators that the program "has not led to better care" and argued it was bringing more people from home into assisted living rather than moving residents out of nursing homes into lower-cost settings. Families and elder-care advocates have expressed alarm, fearing that many seniors, particularly those with dementia or high care needs, could face homelessness or be forced into unsuitable care settings like hospitals or nursing homes. Relatives report a lack of clear answers and a chaotic roll... 
