CalOptima Health and L.A. Care are among the replacement options Molina members should review during open enrollment.
Molina Healthcare will no longer offer individual and family health plans in Orange County or East Los Angeles for 2027. The change will affect Molina members in Covered California regions 18 and 15, although Molina will continue offering plans in West Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and several other areas.
Covered California estimates that roughly 1,600 exchange members will be affected. The total impact is likely higher because that estimate does not include people enrolled in off-exchange Molina plans.
Molina Members Need to Choose a New Plan
If you currently have a Molina individual or family plan in Orange County or East Los Angeles, do not wait for the transition to happen automatically. Log in to your Covered California account during open enrollment, compare the available plans, and actively select coverage for 2027.
Molina has recommended different alternatives depending on location:
- Orange County: CalOptima Health
- East Los Angeles: L.A. Care Health Plan
These recommendations are a starting point—not a guarantee that your doctors, medical group, hospitals, prescriptions, or preferred urgent care centers will be covered.
What Is CalOptima Health?
CalOptima Health is Orange County’s county-organized Medi-Cal health plan. Like similar public health organizations in other California counties, it is moving into the commercial individual and family market.
The approach can make sense for Medi-Cal beneficiaries whose incomes increase or whose eligibility changes. If a comparable commercial plan is available, they may be able to remain with a familiar organization and potentially keep established providers. However, county-organized plans can face challenges as they adapt from Medi-Cal to the commercial market, so consumers should examine the details carefully.
CalOptima Plan and Network Details
CalOptima will offer Covered California’s standard benefit design plans across the metal tiers, including Bronze, Silver 70, Enhanced Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans.
The hospital network will NOT include Hoag, Huntington, Kindred, Providence, and UC Irvine. Consumers who want access to those systems may need to consider other carriers, such as Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross, or Health Net. For UC Irvine specifically, Blue Shield PPO or HMO options may warrant review.
Always verify both the hospital and the medical group. A hospital may participate in a plan even when a particular physician or medical group does not.
Medical groups shown in the CalOptima search
- AMVI Care Health Network
- AltaMed Health Services
- Family Choice Health Services
- Noble Mid-Orange County
- Prospect Medical Group
- United Care Medical Group
A provider search within 15 miles of Anaheim showed approximately 500 primary care providers, nearly 1,500 specialists, about 650 vision providers, and 495 behavioral health providers. It also displayed pharmacies, facilities, and seven urgent care locations.
Urgent care access deserves special attention. For a non-life-threatening injury or illness, an in-network urgent care center can help you avoid unnecessary emergency-room costs. Out-of-network urgent care may result in substantially higher costs or no coverage.
Illustrative 2027 Premium Comparisons
The following examples are for a 40-year-old individual without a premium subsidy. Rates vary by age, location, household, and plan, so confirm current pricing through Covered California before enrolling.
| Region | Metal tier | Carrier | Approximate monthly premium |
| Orange County | Bronze | Kaiser | $450 |
| Bronze | CalOptima | $464 | |
| Silver | CalOptima | $539 | |
| Silver | Kaiser | $554 | |
| East Los Angeles | Bronze | L.A. Care | $375 |
| Bronze | Kaiser | $444 | |
| Silver | L.A. Care | $421 | |
| Silver | Kaiser | $497 |
How to Prepare for the Change
- Review your 2027 renewal notice. Confirm whether Covered California proposes a replacement plan and compare it with other options.
- Check every provider. Verify your primary care physician, specialists, medical group, hospitals, urgent care centers, pharmacies, and prescriptions.
- Compare total costs. Look beyond the monthly premium to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, drug costs, and the annual out-of-pocket maximum.
- Confirm eligibility for financial help. Premium subsidies and Enhanced Silver benefits can materially change the best-value option.
- Make an active selection. Enroll before the applicable deadline and retain confirmation of your choice.
The Bottom Line
Molina’s exit from Orange County and East Los Angeles means affected members must prepare for a change in 2027. CalOptima may be a competitive option in Orange County, while L.A. Care may be a lower-cost alternative in East Los Angeles. But price is only one part of the decision: provider access, medical groups, hospitals, prescriptions, and urgent care locations can be just as important.
Be proactive. Review your options carefully and select a plan before the new year so you do not risk a gap in coverage.
YouTube video on Molina exit and Cal Optima’s entrance.
