Alameda, CA – Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance), the local health plan that administers access to health services to over 415,000 Alameda County residents held a Town Hall this week ahead of the launch of the Alliance’s Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). Participants included physicians, community partners and health care leaders who had the opportunity to learn more about healthcare options available to Alameda County residents who are eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal health insurance coverage.

Starting in January 2026, Alliance Wellness, the new Medicare Advantage D-SNP will serve Alameda County residents who are eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits. These individuals are also referred to as dual eligibles. This plan is designed to better coordinate services by providing a single point of contact for both programs and simplifying administrative processes for providers and members.

Town Hall attendees were welcomed by Alliance CEO Matt Woodruff who spoke about the organization’s work to create a Medicare Advantage D-SNP that provides coordinated, high-quality care to better serve Alameda County’s low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Anastasia Dodson, Deputy Director of the Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration at the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) gave an overview of the dual eligible population and the state’s approach to improve care coordination across Medicare and Medi-Cal. Small group discussions about quality, addressing social determinants of health and member engagement were held, along with presentations on the timeline and goals for the Alliance Wellness Medicare Advantage D-SNP, legislative updates, and Medicare through the lens of providers.

“It was a pleasure to participate in the Alliance’s D-SNP town hall and speak about the State’s efforts to align and integrate care through Medicare Medi-Cal Plans for dually eligible people,” said Anastasia Dodson, Deputy Director of the Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration at DHCS. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the Alliance to improve the lives of older adults and people with disabilities.”

The development of the Alliance’s Medicare Advantage D-SNP is part of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative and will offer greater integration and care coordination for dual eligible beneficiaries that receive services through the Alliance Wellness Medicare Advantage D-SNP and Alliance Medi-Cal programs.

“We are thrilled to align with the State’s efforts to improve care integration and provide person centered health services for dually eligible individuals,” said Alliance CEO Matt Woodruff. “Alliance Wellness will streamline care and improve outcomes for many of Alameda County’s most vulnerable residents.”

The Alliance will be launching Alliance Wellness (Medicare Advantage D-SNP) during this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment period. The Annual Enrollment Period begins October 15, 2025, and ends December 7, 2025. The Alliance will begin serving dually eligible members through Alliance Wellness on January 1, 2026.

To learn more about the Alliance, visit us at http://alamedaalliance.org/.

About Alameda Alliance for Health

Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) is a local, public, not-for-profit managed care health plan committed to making high quality health care services accessible and affordable to Alameda County residents. Established in 1996, the Alliance was created by and for Alameda County residents. The Alliance Board of Governors, leadership staff, and provider network reflect the county’s cultural and linguistic diversity. The Alliance provides health care coverage to over 415,000 low-income children and adults through National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) accredited Medi-Cal and Alliance Group Care programs.

Contact:
Karina Rivera, Alameda Alliance for Health
510-499-3419
krivera@alamedaalliance.org