UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is launching its Medi-Cal Managed Care program in Sacramento and San Diego effective July 1, 2017. In preparation, UHC faxed notices to its Community Plan to contracted physicians in San Diego and Sacramento counties on June 1, advising them of the effective date and to prepare for scheduling of patients.

UnitedHealthcare indicates that more information on the Community Plan rollout will be forthcoming in the next few days including a “welcome kit” and web-based training for staff.

In December 2014, UHC notified a subset of physicians in Sacramento and San Diego counties that they had either been automatically opted into the new Medi-Cal network or that they would be required to sign a written amendment confirming their willingness to join the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Rates and terms were included with both notices.

Physicians who were automatically opted in to the Community Plan had the option to opt out without affecting their underlying UHC commercial contracts. Physicians who did not wish to participate in the UHC Community Plan product had to notify UnitedHealthcare of their decision to opt out within 30 days of receipt of the notification.

Physicians with questions regarding the Community Plan rollout can contact UnitedHealthcare’s Network Management Resource Team at (866) 574-6088.