Press Release

Linda Lee, MPH, joins CalOptima Health as Executive Director, Medicare Programs, a new leadership role that focuses on the health of the agency’s vulnerable population of older adults. Ms. Lee brings more than 25 years of experience in managed care and clinical operations.

“Orange County’s population of seniors is growing faster than ever, and CalOptima Health recognizes the great need to serve seniors with respect and dignity,” Ms. Lee said. “I’m pleased to have this opportunity to strengthen and expand Medicare programs that may reach more than 110,000 senior members.”

CalOptima Health currently has three Medicare programs: OneCare (HMO D-SNP), OneCare Connect and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Ms. Lee is responsible for meeting these programs’ membership, quality and financial goals. She also oversees the implementation of projects to improve health outcomes. Ms. Lee brings experience to this particular area having worked for more than 10 years as a leader in quality analytics and population health management at CalOptima Health from 2001–13. Ms. Lee then became the Senior Director of Medicare Performance Management at L.A. Care Health Plan, implementing strategies that led to improved Medicare Star Ratings. She was most recently a managing principal at Health Management Associates, a leading independent consulting firm in the health care industry, assisting clients across the country with launching new Medicare Advantage Plans, including Special Needs Plans serving dual eligible members and members with chronic conditions.

“Linda is a tremendous addition to our executive team,” said Michael Hunn, CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer. “She is a recognized leader in health plan quality and has demonstrated expertise in strategic development of Medicare plans. With her proven success in managing quality improvement, models of care, Medicare Star Ratings, health plan accreditation and performance measurement, she will set a new benchmark for excellence across our programs for seniors.”

Ms. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles.

A county-organized health system, CalOptima Health provides publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima Health’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. CalOptima Health serves nearly 926,000 members with a network of more than 10,600 primary care doctors and specialists and 44 acute and rehab hospitals.