Press Release

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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Contra Costa County's health plan marks 40 years of helping ensure residents have access to health care with a celebration Friday, July 26 in Martinez.

Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) has a long history of serving Contra Costa residents and was the first county-sponsored health plan in the nation to receive federal qualification and to offer Medicare. Earlier this year, it was one of 13 health plans chosen to participate in Covered California, the state insurance exchange. Congressman George Miller, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover and others will participate at the event to highlight the many accomplishments of CCHP, which began enrollment of Medi-Cal patients in 1973, and, as part of an integrated health system, became a model for managed care health plans nationwide and an innovator in the field.

"The Health Plan was practicing the principles of health reform long before most people even knew what 'health reform' was," said Contra Costa Health Services Director Dr. William Walker. "It not only offered coverage to the poor and vulnerable populations, as an integrated health plan with the health department, it also created a system that stressed the importance of preventive care."

CCHP cares for many low-income and vulnerable populations in addition to Medi-Cal and group insurance. Today, the plan provides coverage to 122,000 people, including county employees, small and large business groups, seniors, people with disabilities, children and low-income patients. Over the past two years, CCHP has successfully enrolled thousands of "Healthy Families" children, seniors and people with disabilities into managed care as part of a statewide effort to prepare for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Health Plan members can choose from two provider networks: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers, a division of Contra Costa Health Services, and the Community Provider Network, which includes more than 5,000 contracted physicians and specialists in the area. CCHP also offers 24/7 Advice Nurse assistance, as well as Case Management and Transition Care nurses to help patients being discharged from hospitals to receive timely appointments with their doctors. In the past year, CCHP launched its Telephone Consultation Clinic, which allows patients calling Advice Nurses to also speak with a doctor in lieu of coming in for an appointment when appropriate six days a week.

"Throughout our 40 years, we've been able to meet our mission of improving the care for the most vulnerable in our community through collaborative innovations with our provider network partners," said CCHP Chief Executive Officer Patricia Tanquary. "I look forward to continuing that direction as we implement Medi-Cal expansion and participate in the Exchange under the Affordable Care Act."

The CCHP anniversary celebration will run from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, July 26 at 595 Center Avenue in Martinez. For more information about the 40th anniversary event and CCHP, visit www.contracostahealthplan.org

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