As of January 1, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is now responsible for ensuring access to health care services for more than 11,000 residents in Needles, Big River, Red Mountain, Blythe, Trona and surrounding areas in California.
The expanded coverage, directed through the CalAIM initiative, will transition traditional services to managed care plans like IEHP and provide a new coordinated care service offering supporting all 27,408 miles of the Inland Empire.
Prior to the expansion, residents in these rural areas received health coverage through Medi-Cal’s traditional fee-for-service model but did not have access to services like health education programs, telephone advice nurses, and coordinated care support.
IEHP is currently in the process of contracting and credentialing available Providers in these areas to ensure Members are assigned to the Primary Care Providers nearest to their areas.
“Just like the rest of our Membership, these new Members deserve the best care possible and should have access to a solid network of Providers and community supports,” said Susie White, IEHP Chief Operating Officer. “We’re thrilled some of our trusted Provider partners have made their way into our new service area and opened clinics to welcome our new Members. Teams across our organization continue to work on building a sustainable network for our entire community.”
To help new Members become familiar with the health plan and the resources they now have access to, IEHP’s Community Health Teams have attended and hosted various events in the community, with the commitment to continue the support efforts moving forward. Earlier this year, IEHP joined community partners Young Visionaries, the Family & Kids Foundation, and Food Forward, to provide food, toys, household items, fresh produce, and vaccine opportunities for more than 300 residents in Trona.
“As an IEHP Member, you can absolutely trust that we will do the right thing for you and your family and get you connected to the care you need,” said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer. “We are so excited to welcome our neighbors in these rural areas and support them in a way that complements and enhances their quality of life for years to come.”
Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) | Contributed
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