Health Net Report: Finding a Path To Achieving Healthier Outcomes

by Health Net

Health Net, one of the state’s longest-serving and most experienced Medi-Cal partners, recently published findings about health disparities among Californians of different races and ethnicities.

The company’s research and findings are based on their years of expertise in serving the state’s most vulnerable populations and investing millions of dollars to drive equitable health outcomes. Health Net recommends that stakeholders apply the following strategies across the healthcare system to better serve Medi-Cal enrollees: 


• Tailor and implement multi-faceted interventions;
• Recognize that community-based organizations drive the greatest local impact; and
• Prioritize and teach cultural competency curriculum to providers and employees of organizations across the healthcare spectrum

With these learnings, Health Net has worked hand-in-hand with local partners to identify gaps in local safety nets and direct funding to fill those gaps. These include:

• A Doula Pilot Program in South L.A. that provided free doula services to expecting moms. As a result, Health Net became the first Medicaid contracted plan in California to offer free doula services to its more than 900,000 Medi-Cal members, a service not routinely covered by health plans.
• A Senior Transportation Program to help with food distribution for seniors across L.A.’s underserved communities. Through a grant awarded by Health Net, Wise and Healthy Aging purchased a wheelchair accessible van to help in their food distribution efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they also used the van to transport high-risk seniors to medical appointments. 


Health Net has invested over $11 million in L.A. County to address homelessness, behavioral health issues, and to boost access and enrollment to quality healthcare services.

In conjunction with its health equity report, Health Net launched a new website, “Bridging the Divide, which informs policymakers and healthcare stakeholders about the company’s commitment to serve Medi-Cal members across the state. It also highlights the company’s unique healthcare model and innovative approach that improves access to care and reduces health disparities across California.