Online public presentation shares 2023 highlights, current collaborations in health care on Central Coast
CenCal Health, the Medi-Cal health plan for over 241,000 residents in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, announced the publication of its annual community report. This year’s report, with the theme “Our Collective Impact,” provides an overview of the programs and initiatives carried out during 2023 and early 2024 in partnership with over 5,000 local healthcare providers and community organizations to advance access to quality healthcare. The annual report is organized around four priorities first introduced in the health plan’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan.
“Together with our partners, CenCal Health is now one year into carrying out the transformative priorities of our Strategic Plan,” said Marina Owen, CenCal Health CEO. “As a tribute to the efforts of so many, we have dedicated this Community Report to highlighting the collaborative accomplishments essential to improving the well-being of our members. I am confident we will reach new heights through local innovation and build healthier communities.”
Expanding service role and reach
In 2022, California established an ambitious, multi-year plan to transform the Medi-Cal program through the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. CalAIM focuses on providing well-rounded care to Medi-Cal members who face difficult life circumstances that affect their health and wellness, such as homelessness and addiction, through two core components: Community Supports and Enhanced Care Management. Since its launch, the health plan has worked closely with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), local medical providers, and community-based organizations to ensure CalAIM’s successful implementation. As of December 2023, nearly 3,000 CenCal Health plan members have received CalAIM services, totaling $317,064 in housing deposit assistance; 5,794 days of post-hospitalization care for unhoused members; 14,787 medically tailored meals to support nutritional wellness, and 15,495 hours of clinical and non-clinical care for members through Enhanced Care Management. CenCal Health currently offers 10 Community Supports services and will partner with community-based organizations to provide all 14 DHCS-approved Community Supports by the summer of 2024.
Cultivating community partnerships
Through contracted community-based organizations and other local service providers, CenCal Health members have access to Sobering Centers, which provide a safe space to recover from the effects of alcohol and drug use. In 2023, Sobering Centers were CenCal Health’s most utilized CalAIM Community Supports service – 470 members were diverted from jail or emergency department visits to a local sober sanctuary where they can receive services and counseling. In the Community Report, a video shares the success of Good Samaritan Shelter’s Sobering Center, which delivers a range of crucial services, including connections to long-term recovery support.
Advancing quality and health equity for all
Among other quality initiatives, CenCal Health’s Quality Care Incentive Program is a pay-for-performance strategy that directly rewards plan providers who deliver exceptional medical care to member patients. Since the program’s launch in March 2022, CenCal Health has distributed $27.0 million to 98 Central Coast primary care providers. Implemented by CenCal Health, the program provides financial incentives to primary care providers to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, preventive care and treatment. Emphasizing the clinical priorities of significance to Medi-Cal members, the goal of the Quality Care Incentive Program is to ultimately achieve better health outcomes for members and uphold a more efficient health care system.
Organizing for impact and effectiveness
CenCal Health’s 2024 annual report also outlines the health plan’s local fiscal impact:
- $85 million is contributed monthly to the local economy, primarily through payments to health care providers who serve its membership.
- $35.5 million is distributed to primary care providers in payments and incentives to ensure members receive timely, high-quality care.
- 91 cents of every dollar is spent on medical benefits and services for members.
- $5.9 million is invested in providing CalAIM services to members through providers and community partners.
For more detailed information on the collective impact of CenCal Health and its providers and community partners, the public is invited to view the full report at cencal2024.org/.
About CenCal Health
CenCal Health is the local Medi-Cal health plan that partners with over 1,500 local physicians, hospitals, and other providers in delivering health care services to over 241,000 members in its two-county service area – one in three residents of Santa Barbara County and one in four residents of San Luis Obispo County.
# # #
CenCal Health Contact: Citlaly Santos (805) 685-9525 ext.9274 media@cencalhealth.org
Media Contact: Sheri Mobley (213) 509-9816 sheri@seamlesspr.com
Leave a Response