Wider Circle delivers scalable, peer-driven programs that improve health
outcomes and strengthen quality performance for D-SNP members
Redwood City, CA (February 4, 2026) Wider Circle, the nationwide community-powered health organization, today announced a new partnership with CalOptima Health to improve outcomes for dual-eligible Medicare-Medi-Cal members in California. Supported by a grant from the California Health Care Foundation, the program with CalOptima Health will connect its Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) through peer-driven circles that help individuals access care, close chronic condition gaps, and build relationships that support long-term
health and stability.
The collaboration with CalOptima Health marks Wider Circle’s eleventh California partnership, further deepening its footprint in the state and reinforcing its role as a trusted partner for Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans nationwide.
Wider Circle’s mission is to create lasting connections, belonging, and well-being by bringing people together in circles of trust. This is especially vital for dual-eligible members, who face higher rates of chronic illness, lower usage of preventive care, and barriers like food insecurity, housing instability, language, and economic hardship, the very challenges where human-centered, scalable interventions can make the greatest impact.
Through this partnership, Wider Circle will engage CalOptima Health members across Orange County, focusing on culturally relevant outreach and connection. The program will include peer-support groups that foster trust, reduce isolation, and encourage proactive engagement in preventive care. Wider Circle will focus on culturally relevant outreach, particularly for Spanish- and Vietnamese-speaking members, ensuring that engagement is not only scalable but also adaptable to local community needs.
“By reaching out to individuals and surrounding them with a trusted support system, we help address everyday roadblocks such as housing, food, and transportation that stand in the way of long-term health. Peer-led communities are proving to be a powerful way to deliver better outcomes, higher quality, and stronger foundations for lasting stability,” said Darin Buxbaum, CEO of Wider Circle
The impact of Wider Circle’s approach goes beyond care and quality gaps. Members find belonging, hope, friendship, and purpose – connections that restore trust and reduce isolation. These circles help members take ownership of their health, driving improvements in preventive visits, medication adherence, and chronic condition management, while also reducing costly ER visits and hospitalizations
For health partners, the model delivers economic benefits: improving member retention, enhancing HEDIS scores, and promoting appropriate utilization.
About Wider Circle
Wider Circle works with health plans and providers nationally to deliver unique community care programs that connect neighbors for better health. Centered on trusted relationships, Wider Circle connects health plan members with like-minded neighbors to inform, support and motivate one another, empowering them to be more proactive about their health. Wider Circle’s trusted delivery network has been proven to drive resilience, improve member experience and engagement, and reduce inappropriate utilization and has been published in peer-reviewed literature. Today, Wider Circle offers its unique neighborhood care programs to tens of thousands of communities nationwide. To learn more, visit widercircle.com. For more information, visit www.widercircle.com.
About the author: Jamie Zale
Wider Circle
