Monterey County Launches Esperanza Care 2026 Program to Expand Access to Health Care  

(SALINAS, Calif., September 16, 2026) –

Natividad is accepting applications for a limited number of Esperanza Care 2026 openings at Natividad Medical Center, Financial Counseling Office, Building 300, First Floor, 1441 Constitution Boulevard, starting Wednesday, 09/16/26. The hours will be 8 am to 3 pm. Once the slots have been filled, applicants will be placed on a Wait List. Please call (831) 755-4165 if you have any questions.

Natividad está aceptando solicitudes para un número limitado de espacios disponibles en el programa Esperanza Care 2026. Las solicitudes se recibirán en Natividad Medical Center, Oficina de Asesoría Financiera, Edificio 300, primer piso, 1441 Constitución Boulevard, a partir del miércoles 16 de septiembre de 2026. El horario de atención será de 8:00 a. m. a 3:00 p. m. Una vez que se hayan llenado todos los espacios disponibles, los solicitantes serán colocados en una lista de espera. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame al (831) 755-4165.

Esperanza Care 2026 is authorized by the Board of Supervisors of Monterey County:

• Provides certain health care services to residents who qualify for the program.
• Has an enrollment limit of 500 residents.
• Available to residents who make less than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who do not qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal and who have no other insurance.
• Offered to people aged 19 and older.
  Esperanza Care 2026 is not an insurance plan nor a promise of services.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Residents who wish to apply for Esperanza Care 2026 must complete an application and attest to their eligibility.
• Natividad is accepting applications for a limited number of Esperanza Care 2026 openings at Natividad Medical Center, Financial Counseling Office, Building 300, First Floor, 1441 Constitution Boulevard, starting Wednesday, 09/16/26.
• The hours will be 8 am to 3 pm.
• Once the slots have been filled, applicants will be placed on a Wait List.
• Please call (831) 755-4165 if you have any questions.

ACCESSING HEALTHCARE UNDER THE ESPERANZA PROGRAM:

• Enrollees must initially see a primary care provider at one of the Monterey County Health Department Clinic locations
• The primary care provider may refer enrollees for covered services at Natividad Medical Center for specialty clinics, laboratory and radiology services
• Selected prescriptions may be covered through Walgreens

AVAILABLE SERVICES:

Primary Care services at Monterey County Health Department Natividad Medical Center:

• Diagnostic Imaging (e.g. X-Rays, MRIs, CT scans)
• Laboratory Procedures (excludes reference lab tests that NMC sends offsite)
• Specialty Clinic office visits (with referral from the Health Department)
• Diabetic Education (with referral from the Health Department)
• Prescriptions ordered by the Health Department primary care provider and on the list of covered medications

NON-COVERED SERVICES (NOTE: This is not intended to be the complete listing of noncovered services):

• No services outside of Natividad Medical Center and Health Department Clinics
• Chemotherapy
• Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy
• Cardiology Tests (i.e. EKG, echo, stress test)
• Emergency room services
• Outpatient Surgery
• Inpatient care provided by any hospital (including Natividad Medical Center)
• Interventional Radiology