Annual Community Report

Elevating Community
Health Through Collaboration

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A woman with long dark curly hair is smiling outdoors, wearing a sleeveless red top, with trees and a bright sky in the background.
A young boy with curly hair and a white shirt smiling while pointing at a rainbow drawing on the window.
Man in a wheelchair outdoors on a pathway with trees in the background, smiling.
An elderly woman with gray hair smiling and shaking hands with a healthcare worker, sitting in a wheelchair in a bright room.
Newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket and wearing a striped cap, being held close by a woman in a hospital gown.
A young girl in a pink dress with a flower brooch smiling and raising her arms in excitement at a playground.
A middle-aged man with a mustache, wearing a plaid shirt and a gray cap, standing outdoors in a green field during sunset, holding a garden rake.
A female doctor with glasses, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, smiling while talking to a young girl in blue scrubs in a medical office.
A young girl sitting on an examination table, smiling at a doctor holding a teddy bear during a check-up in a medical office.
A woman with curly black hair and a red sleeveless top smiling outdoors during sunset, with trees and a garden in the background.
A smiling boy with short curly hair, wearing a white shirt, touching a window with a colorful rainbow drawing on paper next to it.
A young man in a wheelchair smiles while walking on a paved outdoor path surrounded by trees.
An elderly woman in a wheelchair smiling and shaking hands with a healthcare worker.
A woman holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket in a hospital setting.
A girl with long dark hair in a pink shirt playing at a playground, smiling with arms raised in front of orange and yellow playground equipment.
A man in a plaid shirt and gray cap standing in a green field at sunset.
A female doctor smiling while talking to a young girl in a medical office.
A doctor showing a young girl a teddy bear during a checkup in a medical office.
A woman with dark, curly hair smiling outdoors on a sunny day, wearing a sleeveless red top.
Young boy smiling while taping a colorful rainbow drawing on a window.
A man in a blue sweatshirt sitting in a wheelchair outdoors on a sidewalk.
An elderly woman in a wheelchair smiling and shaking hands with a person in a blue uniform.
A woman in a hospital gown holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket with a hospital wristband on her wrist.
A young girl in a pink shirt with her arms raised in excitement at a playground.
A man standing outdoors in a green field at sunset, wearing a plaid shirt and a baseball cap, holding a shovel.
A female doctor smiling while talking to a young female patient in a medical office.
A young girl sitting on an examination table at the doctor’s office, smiling at a doctor who is holding a teddy bear.

“CenCal Health is a true partner in leading out California’s goals to elevate community health through cross-sector collaboration. By forging strategic partnerships, CenCal Health is driving alignment to improve the health outcomes and lives of community members.”


- Tyler Sadwith, State Medicaid Director at the California Department of Health Care Services

Message from
the CEO

Marina Owen introduces CenCal Health’s Annual Community Report in this video message.

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Providing healthcare access to over 238,000 community members

As the local Medi-Cal health plan, CenCal Health provides essential healthcare coverage to one out of every three residents of Santa Barbara County, and every four residents of San Luis Obispo County.

We are a not-for-profit organization serving our communities since 1983 and are recognized nationally as the oldest Medicaid managed care program of its kind in the country.

55%

Adults ages
18-64

36%

Children & teens
ages 0-17

9%

Seniors ages
65+

Membership totals as of December 2025

Our 2025 Board of Directors

The CenCal Health Board of Directors is comprised of 12 members who are appointed by the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo county boards of supervisors. The CenCal Health Board of Directors is composed of community leaders representing local government, physicians, hospitals, members, other health care providers, and local business.

Message from the 2025 & 2026 Board Chairs

Kieran Shah, CenCal Health 2025 Board Chair introduces 2026 Board Chair Sue Andersen. Together, they outline the priorities of the community-accountable health plan for 2025.

  • Professional portrait of a smiling man in a dark suit, white shirt, and gray tie, against a neutral background.

    Kieran Shah

    President and CEO of VNA Health, 
    Board Chair
    (Provider Representative)
    Bio

  • A professional middle-aged woman with short brown hair, glasses, and a bright smile, wearing a beige blazer, in front of a neutral gray background.

    Sue Andersen

    President & CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center, 
Board Vice Chair 
    2026 Board Chair
    (Hospital Representative)
    Bio

  • Headshot of an older man with light brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a dark suit and tie, smiling softly against a neutral background.

    Edward S. Bentley, MD

    2026 Board Vice Chair
    (Provider Representative)
    Bio

  • A smiling woman with dark brown hair, wearing a gray blazer with a yellow ribbon pin, against a textured gray background.

    Antonette “Toni” Navarro, LMFT

    Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Director

    (County Representative)
    Bio

  • A smiling elderly man with white hair and glasses, wearing a suit, light blue shirt, and colorful tie, against a neutral background.

    Daniel Herlinger

    (Community Business Representative)
    Bio

  • Headshot of a smiling middle-aged woman with short dark hair, wearing a tan blazer, yellow and white patterned scarf, blue top, and earrings, against a gray background.

    Dawn Ortiz-Legg

    County of San Luis Obispo Board
    of Supervisors District 3
    (County Representative)
    Bio

  • A close-up portrait of an older woman with dark hair, smiling, wearing a red and white scarf, against a neutral background.

    Joan Hartmann

    County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors District 3
    (County Representative)
    Bio

  • A smiling middle-aged woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a dark blazer and a patterned blouse, with gold hoop earrings, against a neutral background.

    Lisa Moore

    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cottage Health
    (Provider Representative)
    Bio

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    Mouhanad Hammami, MD

    Santa Barbara County
    Public Health Director
    (County Representative)
    Bio

  • Professional headshot of a man with dark hair styled back, wearing black glasses, a dark suit, white shirt, and maroon tie, smiling, against a neutral background.

    Nicholas Drews

    San Luis Obispo County Health
    Agency Director
    (County Representative)
    Bio

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    René Bravo, MD

    Bravo Pediatrics
    (Provider Representative)
    Bio

  • Portrait of an elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing a black top and layered necklaces, smiling at the camera against a blurred gray background.

    Sara Macdonald

    Santa Barbara County
    (Consumer Representative)
    Bio

Our Mission

To improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve by providing access to high-quality health services along with education and outreach for our members.

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Our Vision

To be a trusted leader in advancing health enquity so that our communities thrive and achieve optimal health together.

Our Values

Compassionate Service.
Collaboration.
Integrity.
Improvement.

Our Executive Team

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    Marina Owen

    Chief Executive Officer
    Bio

  • A woman with long, wavy brown hair, blue eyes, and a warm smile. She is wearing a white lab coat, a blue top, and a string of pearls. The background is a textured gray surface.

    Maya Heinert, MD, MBA 

    Chief Medical Officer
    Bio

  • Professional headshot of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a dark blazer, a colorful top, and a butterfly pin, smiling against a neutral background.

    Van Do-Reynoso, MPH, PhD

    Chief Customer Experience Officer
    & Chief Health Equity Officer

    Bio

  • Close-up portrait of a smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing gold hoop earrings and a multicolored scarf, against a neutral background.

    Jordan Turetsky, MPH 

    Chief Strategic Engagement Officer

    Bio

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a black blazer and dark green top, in front of a neutral gray background.

    Kashina Bishop, CPA 

    Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
    Bio

  • Professional headshot of a woman with dark hair, wearing a black blazer and white blouse, smiling against a gray textured background.

    Karen Kim, JD, MPH 

    Chief Compliance & Fraud Prevention Officer
    Bio

  • Headshot of a smiling man with short dark hair. He's wearing a dark blazer over a maroon shirt. The background is a blurred, textured brown.

    Chris Morris, MSOD

    Chief Performance Officer
    Bio

  • Professional headshot of a smiling middle-aged man with short light-colored hair, blue eyes, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, set against a neutral gray background.

    Darin Moore

    Chief Information Officer
    Bio

  • Professional headshot of a middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a navy blazer and a light blue collared shirt, smiling at the camera against a neutral background.

    Jai Raisinghani

    Deputy Chief Information Officer
    Bio

  • A professional woman with long dark hair, wearing a white textured top, pearl earrings, and a brooch, smiling softly against a neutral background.

    Kaliki Kantheti

    Chief Operating Officer
    Bio

Cultivated Community Partnership

“Our collaboration alongside CenCal Health is grounded in a shared mission to deliver comprehensive, high-quality healthcare across the Central Coast. Together we have made real progress in improving access to health services, advancing health equity, and raising the standard of care for our shared patients and members. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to building on that impact in the years ahead.”

— Sophia Sosa, Deputy CEO, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast

A female doctor gently holds a young girl's chin and looks at her with a smile in a doctor's office.

Providers: Our Network of Care

CenCal Health partners with a diverse network of medical professionals—primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, and Federally Qualified Health Centers—to deliver high-quality, comprehensive care. 

Our providers offer services ranging from preventive screenings to advanced treatments, ensuring that every member’s health needs are met. By actively listening to provider feedback and implementing targeted improvements, we enhance care quality and accessibility for our community. Close to 94% of providers would recommend CenCal Health, reflecting our commitment to collaboration and excellence.

Local providers supporting Medi-Cal:

1,800+

local
physicians

10

local
hospitals

42

community
clinic sites

93.8%

of providers would recommend CenCal Health

Building on these trusted relationships, CenCal Health partnered closely with our providers to launch CenCal CareConnect (HMO D-SNP). This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving care coordination, access and outcomes for the communities we serve.

An elderly man smiling while talking to a healthcare professional in what appears to be a medical facility.

CenCal CareConnect Set in Motion

CenCal Health launched a new healthcare plan for dual-eligible members of Medi-Cal and Medicare. CenCal CareConnect is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. This national designation affirms our commitment to high-quality healthcare, operational efficiency, and member experience. In June, CenCal Health achieved a second quality goal. NCQA Health Outcomes Accreditation recognizes organizations that use standardized data collection and measurement to understand their population’s unique health needs and address differences in health outcomes, experience or access.

Throughout 2025, we prepared for the CenCal CareConnect launch through comprehensive team training, outreach to providers, and technology enhancements. We expanded our provider network, strengthened clinical and operational systems, and hired dedicated team members with Medicare expertise. Enrollment for the new plan began October 15, with coverage starting January 1, 2026. CenCal Health implemented CenCal CareConnect in our ongoing effort to elevate healthcare for the most vulnerable in our community. We are grateful to our provider partners who have joined us in this new healthcare endeavor.

Agents of Change

Highlighting Three Community Collaborations
CenCal Health and it’s many Central Coast partners believe collaboration can achieve greater results than working alone. Here are three examples:

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CalAIM Community Steering Committee in Action

Established in 2023, the CalAIM Community Steering Committees for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties bring together local officials, government, social services, and healthcare providers to collaborate on Medi-Cal initiatives. Meeting quarterly, they share knowledge, coordinate actions, and guide CenCal Health on implementation. In 2025, the committees prioritized housing and behavioral health, and united to address federal Medicaid cuts, advocating for community well-being.

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Local Healthcare Collaboration Nationally Recognized 

The Central Coast Tri-County Community Health Workers/Promotores Capacity Building Collaborative received national recognition in 2025 with a “Supporting the Safety Net” Honorable Mention from the Association for Community Affiliated Health Plans (ACAP). This award highlights the collaborative efforts of Children and Family Resource Services, Family Service Agency, and Center for Family Strengthening in providing essential health worker services across the Central Coast. CenCal Health’s partnership with these Collaborative members is essential to improving health outcomes for area residents. The ACAP honor reinforces the importance of working together and building capacity to further our mission.

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CenCal Health Honored with Partnership Award 

The County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA) is dedicated to ensuring that all Californians have access to high-quality, cost-effective, and culturally competent behavioral health care through strong leadership, advocacy, and support for county programs. In recognition of outstanding collaboration, CBHDA honored CenCal Health CEO Marina Owen at the annual Behavioral Health Policy Forum with its 2025 Partnership Award for expanding behavioral health services and improving access for vulnerable Californians. “Under your leadership, collaboration between Medi-Cal managed care and county behavioral health plans has flourished, supporting unhoused members and advancing initiatives under the Behavioral Health Services Act,” stated the CBHDA Executive Director.

Advanced Quality
& Health Equity for All

"Programs like this advance our commitment to health equity by directing resources toward patients with the highest medical and social needs, strengthening our ability to deliver high quality, coordinated care to those who are most vulnerable. We are very grateful to CenCal Health for their collaboration and support in this shared endeavor.“  

- Majorie Newman, MD Chief Medical Officer, Sansum Clinic (part of Sutter Health), a top QCIP performer and provider partner

Pursuit of Quality Led to National Accreditation

In May 2025, Santa Barbara San Luis Obispo Regional Health Authority dba CenCal Health received Accreditation from NCQA’s Health Plan Ratings 2025: Medicaid HMO. NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. This national designation affirms our commitment to high-quality healthcare, operational efficiency, and member experience. In June, CenCal Health achieved a second quality goal. NCQA Health Outcomes Accreditation recognizes organizations that use standardized data collection and measurement to understand their population’s unique health needs and address differences in health outcomes, experience or access..

These two rigorous, independent evaluations from healthcare’s top performance measurement organization led us to standardize best practices across our operations. Our three-year pursuit of full Accreditation was closely aligned with our strategic priorities, supporting optimal outcomes for our members. As we acknowledge this achievement, we remain dedicated to maintaining continuous accreditation readiness and upholding the highest standards in managed care.

Awarded for Exceptional Quality Performance

CenCal Health received two Achievement Awards for Outstanding Quality Performance from the State of California at the Department of Health Care Services annual Quality Conference, held in November 2025 . Recognized for excellence in both Overall Performance and Children’s Health Domain for Measurement Year 2024, CenCal Health was one of only four Medi-Cal plans statewide to earn this distinction. These awards, based on the state’s highest-priority quality measures, highlight our strong commitment to delivering exceptional care to members and the community.

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A male doctor in blue scrubs examining a young boy in a red jacket at a clinic.

QCIP’s Transformative Results in Quality Care

CenCal Health distributed over $16 million to 95 local primary care providers (PCPs) in 2025 through its Quality Care Incentive Program (QCIP), driving significant improvements in patient care across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. 

QCIP rewards CenCal Health providers for excellence in key clinical areas, including diabetes and asthma management, breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings, and pediatric well-care. Since QCIP was launched in March 2022, many individual aspects of care have improved significantly, such as antidepressant medication management, well-child visit utilization for infants at 15 months of age, and lead testing in children.

A dollar sign inside a circle connected to multiple lines with circles at the ends, representing a financial or network concept.

 $16 million
distributed to 
95 PCPs in 2025

A black and white line graph with a bar chart and an upward trending arrow

$56 million
invested since
QCIP launch in 2022

Outline of hands surrounding a person with a heart shape in the background.

Well-child visits for
infants at 15 months of
age 
improved by 39%

A smiling male healthcare professional in blue scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck, standing in a clinic hallway, with windows on the right and medical equipment in the background.
A young girl with dark hair in braids, wearing a black shirt, laughing and talking to an older woman with her hair tied back, outdoors on a sunny day.
A man in a wheelchair smiling and talking to two people outdoors near a skate park.
A woman laying on the grass outside, hugging and kissing a smiling baby who is laughing and reaching out.
A smiling female doctor wearing a white coat and stethoscope along with an older male patient sitting at a desk in a medical office.
Three women sitting at a table engaged in conversation, with a light-colored wall in the background.
A man holding a young girl, both smiling and embracing outdoors in a park with trees in the background.
A nurse comforting a patient in a hospital room.
A healthcare worker in blue scrubs feeding a senior man a blue textured ball.
A young boy lying on his stomach on a playground slide, smiling and looking to the side.
A female doctor examining a woman's ear with an otoscope in a clinic.
An elderly woman with short red hair smiling outdoors, talking to a man. She wears a lavender top and earrings.
A smiling male healthcare professional in blue scrubs standing in a clinic hallway with a stethoscope around his neck.
Two girls talking outdoors, one smiling and laughing, in a park or natural setting.
A man smiling while in a wheelchair engaging with two people at a skate park on a sunny day.
A woman lying on the grass in a park, playing with a happy baby who is smiling and laughing.
A male elderly patient smiling at a doctor in a medical office.
Three women having a conversation in an office or classroom setting, sitting at a table with one woman facing away, and the other two women smiling and listening.
A man and a young girl are outdoors, with trees and blurred background. The girl is hugging the man and resting her head on his shoulder, both smiling gently.
A female healthcare professional in a white coat and pink gloves comforting a young male patient in a hospital bed. The patient is wearing a brown beanie and green shirt, and is engaging in conversation with the caregiver.
A young healthcare worker playing with an elderly man using a blue textured ball, both smiling in a bright, modern room.
Young boy lying on his stomach on a playground slide, smiling and looking to the side.
A female doctor examining a young woman with an otoscope in a medical clinic.
A smiling elderly woman with short reddish hair, wearing a light purple top, talking to a man outdoors, with a blurred natural background.
A smiling man in blue medical scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck standing in a clinic hallway.
Two women outdoors, one facing away and the other smiling and laughing with long braids, wearing a black shirt.
A man in a wheelchair smiling and talking with two people outdoors near a skate park.
A woman lying on the grass in a park, hugging and kissing a smiling baby boy.
A senior man sitting at a desk and smiling, with a female doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope around her neck standing behind him in a medical office.
Three women engaged in conversation at a table, smiling and listening in a brightly lit room.
A man in an orange sweater holding a young girl with curly hair, wearing a pink jacket, outdoors with trees in the background.
A female healthcare professional comforting a male patient sitting on a hospital bed.
A healthcare professional hands a blue massage ball to an elderly man who is smiling and sitting in a chair.
A young boy with dark hair wearing a red jacket and blue pants lying on his stomach on a playground slide.
A female doctor examining a woman's ear with an otoscope in a medical office.
A smiling woman with short red hair and earrings, outdoors near a large tree, engaged in conversation with a man whose face is out of focus.
A woman with long brown hair wearing headphones, sitting at a desk with dual computer monitors, smiling at the camera.

Member Experience 
Guided Our Improvements

At CenCal Health, every interaction matters. In 2025, our Member Services team answered over 100,000 calls. After each interaction, members were invited to participate in a brief, two-question satisfaction survey with yes or no responses. The results were overwhelmingly positive: 

109,944

calls from
members
in 2025

99%

of respondents felt their representative was helpful and friendly

 97%

of respondents believed they received the best possible assistance 

647

complimentary
voicemails
received

These high satisfaction rates reflect our commitment to delivering responsive, member-focused service.

These Voices Inspire Us to Continually Improve

“Having cancer and losing my regular insurance…”

“She made this process super smooth and easy, and I am really grateful. Having cancer and losing my regular insurance, and navigating life right now is very difficult, and so it’s very much appreciated when somebody is friendly and does their job.”

- CenCal Health Member

“Only person to sort through all these complications…”

“She was the only person to sort through all these complications to finally make something work, which basically for me, may sound over dramatic but is a matter of life and death, seriously. And I thank her very much and I thank you folks.”

- CenCal Health Member

“Worst day of my life…now I am the happiest girl alive.”

“She did a wonderful job. I am having the worst day of my life and now I am the happiest girl alive. Thank God for people like her. And I want her to know that she does the best job she can do and don’t give up and be proud of yourself.”

- CenCal Health Member

How We Rank in Meeting Member Needs

Member feedback has guided enhancements in training and service protocols, ensuring responsive,
equitable, and effective support.  Consumer survey results for 2025 showed that out of 22 Managed Care Plans 
that participated in the survey, CenCal Health ranked:

1st

in Getting
Needed Care
(for child members) 

3rd

for Overall Rating of
Personal Doctor 
(for child members) 

3rd

in Getting
Care Quickly 
(for adult members) 

Once a year, the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Health Plan Survey is sent to members to query them about their experiences with both their doctors and their health plan. A nationally recognized benchmark for health plan quality, the CAHPS survey measures how well plans meet members’ needs.

Expanded Role
& Reach 

“The collaboration we’ve built around the Community Health Workers initiative has been nothing short of amazing. None of this would have happened without CenCal Health’s leadership and your true embodiment of partnership and inclusion.”

-  MaryEllen Rehse, MSW Executive Director, Children and Family Resource Services (in partnership with Santa Barbara County Education Office)

CalAIM Investments in Whole-Person Care

CalAIM is a California Department of Health Care Services initiative transforming Medi‑Cal by addressing both medical and social drivers of health, including homelessness, behavioral health needs, and supports for youth and older adults. Two core components—Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports—expand access to coordinated, person‑centered services for Medi‑Cal’s most vulnerable members.

Children in line outside a building next to a sign for Enhanced Family Services, with images of diverse families and caring hands, and a parking lot in the background.

Comprehensive Care for Foster Youth  

Through Enhanced Care Management (ECM), foster youth receive intensive, whole‑person care coordination that integrates physical, behavioral, developmental, and social services into a single, individualized care plan. Led by a dedicated Care Manager, ECM helps youth navigate care, coordinate appointments, connect across systems, and access community resources—reducing barriers and improving stability for those with complex needs.

Pathway Family Services, Inc. in Santa Maria delivers ECM services to CenCal Health members. Its strong relationships with foster youth and resource families, trauma‑informed training, placement support, and ongoing engagement have strengthened enrollment and care coordination, leading to improved outcomes for youth in foster care.

In 2025, ECM providers supported 450 foster youth members.

A room with three beds, two black chairs, a window, and a wall with a sunset picture with an inspirational quote. The quote says, 'Failure is not the opposite of success. It is part of success.'

Sobering Centers:
Community Care That Works

Community Supports provide medically appropriate, cost‑effective alternatives to traditional care. One such service is Sobering Centers, a supervised alternative to emergency departments, hospitals, or jail for individuals who do not require acute medical intervention.

The Sobering Center in San Luis Obispo, operated by Good Samaritan Shelter in partnership with San Luis Obispo County, offers 24/7, voluntary, short‑term, non‑acute care. Adults experiencing alcohol or drug intoxication receive medical screening, hydration, meals, rest, and supportive services, along with connections to substance use treatment, mental health care, housing support, case management, and other community resources.

As of December 2025:

Impact of CalAIM Initiatives

Enhanced Care Management (ECM): 9,064 members served

Community Supports: 36,662 members served

*since the initiatives began in July 2022

CenCal Health has invested nearly $21 million in 38 organizations to strengthen Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports under CalAIM.

Capacity Grants:
Expanded Access to Care 

In January 2025, CenCal Health launched the Medi-Cal Capacity, Access and Workforce Development Grant Program (Capacity Grants) to address critical healthcare needs in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

Through this initiative, we awarded 16 grants totaling $5,542,406—reinvesting Medi-Cal funds directly into our community. The Capacity Grants program focused on expanding access to care by supporting provider recruitment, workforce training, and medical practice enhancements. For the inaugural round, we prioritized primary care and pediatrics, behavioral health, and specialty care services. By partnering with local providers and organizations, CenCal Health is strengthening the healthcare safety net and improving outcomes for our members.

19,000* CenCal Health members impacted

Santa Barbara County
Healthcare Professionals Added: 20
Funding Impact: $2,421,242.00 

San Luis Obispo County
Healthcare Professionals Added: 14
Funding Impact: $3,121,164.00 

*approximately

Group of healthcare professionals, including nurses and a physician, standing in front of a wall with the words 'Hello human kindness.' The group is smiling and one woman is receiving a donation or award.

Organized for Impact
& Effectiveness

“Effective health programs and initiatives are made possible through strong partnerships with local healthcare providers and community partners. Together, we will support the underserved as an expression of our collective character and belief that health and opportunity should belong to all.”   


- Marina Owen, CenCal Health CEO in a call-to-action op-ed piece published by the Santa Barbara Independent.

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Three women stand together in front of a backdrop with logos for the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, Netsmart, and Streamline Healthcare. They are dressed in business casual attire and smiling.
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A group of nine diverse professionals standing in a row in front of two American flags and a plain wall, smiling at the camera.
Three people sitting at a long table with microphones, water bottles, and name tags in a conference room with windows and blinds.
Four women standing outdoors next to a banner for the County of Santa Barbara Health Department, with trees and a building in the background.
Six diverse women standing outdoors in front of tropical plants and a building, smiling for a group photo.
Two women standing behind an informational table at an outdoor event, smiling, with balloons and brochures on the table.
Six smiling people standing side by side in front of a screen displaying the logo 'Partners For Kids' with colorful handprints. The group includes five women and one man, all dressed in business casual attire, with an American flag partially visible
Three people standing in front of large gold balloons forming the number 100, celebrating an anniversary or milestone.
Six professionally dressed people standing together at an event, posing in front of a step-and-repeat banner with the ACAP logo and the phrase 'Advocates for Community'.
Three women standing in front of a backdrop with logos of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, Netsmart, and Streamline Healthcare, smiling at an event.
Two women standing in front of a Virginia Medicaid sign, smiling.
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Three women smiling and posing together at an event with a purple backdrop that reads 'ITUP' and 'Insure the Uninsured Project.'
A group of ten professionally dressed people standing in a line inside a room with two American flags on poles, on either side of the group.
Three people seated at a conference table with microphones, paper nameplates, and water bottles in a well-lit room with large windows and blinds.
Four women standing outdoors next to a blue health department sign for Santa Barbara County, California, with trees and a building in the background.
Six diverse people standing outdoors in front of large green plants, smiling for a group photo.
Two women standing behind a blue table display at an outdoor health event, with informational pamphlets and small items on the table, and balloons in the background.
Six people standing in front of a screen that reads "Partners For Kids" with a colorful handprint logo. They are indoors, smiling, dressed in business casual attire.
Three people standing in front of large gold balloon numbers 100, celebrating an event or milestone.
Six professionals standing together at a conference in front of a backdrop with ACAP logos, smiling for the photo.
Three women standing in front of a backdrop with logos of CBHA and Netsmart, smiling at the camera.
Two women smiling and standing in front of a Pennsylvania Medical Society sign.
Three people standing together indoors, smiling at the camera. The woman in the middle wears glasses and a yellow blazer, the woman on the right has curly hair and a black blazer, and the man on the left has a beard and wears a green shirt.
Three women posing together at an event, with a purple and pink backdrop that reads 'ITUP' and 'Insure the Uninsured Project'.
A group of nine diverse professionals posing together in a conference room with American and California flags behind them.
Three people sitting at a table with microphones, water bottles, and nameplates in a conference room with large windows and blinds.
Three women standing outdoors next to a blue County of Santa Barbara Health Department banner, with trees and a building in the background.
Six diverse women standing outdoors in front of lush green plants and a building, smiling for the camera.
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Elevating Central Coast Voices

In 2025, the Central Coast healthcare community joined forces to raise awareness about health policy changes that would destabilize healthcare for underserved populations. At the same time, CenCal Health met with state and federal government officials to advocate for the local protection of access to healthcare.

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Aligned with Central Coast Healthcare Partners

CenCal Health, in collaboration with local providers and community partners, shared timely legislative updates and resources through our online Policy Pulse information center. At the same time, CenCal Health continued active engagement with local, state, and federal officials to educate policymakers and protect healthcare access in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. 

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Connected with Congressional Leaders 

CenCal Health leaders, working alongside the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, met with congressional representatives in Washington, DC, to strengthen federal partnerships and advocate for effective implementation of H.R.1. These meetings, held during the federal government shutdown, focused on preserving member coverage amid new requirements and addressing California’s anticipated revenue losses resulting from provider tax changes.

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Engaged with State Legislature 

At the state level, CenCal Health’s CEO served as the 2025 Chair of the Board of Directors for Local Health Plans of California (LHPC), which supports 17 local health plans serving more than 10 million members statewide. In February 2025, Marina Owen, together with other community health plan CEOs, joined a legislative briefing in Sacramento to outline the successes of the CalAIM program, sharing the critical services afforded to low-income populations enrolled in Medi-Cal.

CenCal Health is powered by people 

Our community‑accountable health plan is driven by more than 400 dedicated employees who are deeply committed to improving the health and well‑being of the communities we serve along the Central Coast.

Our diverse team includes physicians and nurses, case managers, social workers, IT analysts, member and provider services representatives, and claims professionals—all working together with a shared purpose. In addition, our not‑for‑profit organization partners closely with community‑based organizations to address social determinants of health, expand access to care, and help control costs. This meaningful, mission‑driven work makes a real difference in people’s lives.

At CenCal Health, we are committed to cultivating a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive workplace where every employee feels valued. By investing in our people, we strengthen our organization—and the communities we proudly serve.

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Named “Best Place to Work” Seven Years in a Row

In its 2025 annual Best Places to Work survey for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, Pacific Coast Business Times recognized CenCal Health as one of the region’s top employers for the seventh consecutive year.

A circular badge acknowledging the featured inclusion in the Pacific Coast Business Times 2025 list of Central Coast best places to work.
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Group of six women standing outdoors, holding signs that say 'CenCalHEALTH' and 'Local. Quality. Healthcare.', smiling at the camera.
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Decades of employee service at CenCal Health speak to a workplace where mission, people, and community impact come first. We are proud to highlight two of our many long-tenured employees. 

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Three Decades of Quality Service: 

Carlos Hernandez

CenCal Health Chief Quality Officer Carlos Hernandez retired in December 2025 after three decades of service. He headed up the implementation of the Quality Care Incentive Program (QCIP) at CenCal Health and is widely recognized for his overall impact on the Central Coast healthcare community. 

During his 31-year tenure, Hernandez led the evolution of CenCal Health’s Quality Improvement System, overseeing regulatory compliance, pay-for-performance initiatives, and HEDIS® reporting. He served as a key leader and liaison to our health plan’s provider network, advancing quality and population health. Carlos leaves a legacy of quality improvement and health equity that will certainly continue at CenCal Health, and throughout doctors’ offices, medical clinics and community health centers in multiple communities on the Central Coast.

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Decades of Advocacy for Children’s Health:
Rea Goumas, MD

Pediatrician Rea Goumas, MD retired in December 2025 after more than 35 years of service to the children of Santa Barbara County and to CenCal Health. Her long association with our organization began as a healthcare provider at Sansum Health and continued through leadership roles at the County of Santa Barbara Public Health Department, where she served as Medical Director of California Children’s Services (CCS). Widely respected throughout the community, Dr. Goumas was a trusted champion for children’s health. In 2018, she joined CenCal Health as Medical Director for the Whole Child Model (CCS), strengthening pediatric care oversight for our plan’s most vulnerable members. She retired to heartfelt appreciation from patients, parents, physicians, community partners, and colleagues alike.

Invested in our communities’ health and wellness 

2025 Fiscal Picture:

$1.2B

contributed to the local economy primarily through payments to healthcare providers 

$16.5M

invested in quality care and health equity 

$5.5M

distributed to local providers to expand health care capacity and access

93¢

of every dollar spent on healthcare for members

What’s Coming Next in 2026 and Beyond 

Thank you for taking the time to review our annual report to the community, highlighting the programs, partnerships, and accomplishments that shaped our work in 2025.

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Looking ahead, CenCal Health is focused on the next five years of impact—strengthening provider partnerships, elevating quality for our members, integrating care for better outcomes, and advancing affordable access for all.

We are proud to share our five-year Strategic Plan, an ambitious roadmap designed to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead while building on CenCal Health’s 40-year commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare across the Central Coast.

VIEW THE STRATEGIC PLAN