Care1st Selected to Participate in New Duals Demonstration Project for San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA, April 10, 2013 (Press-News.org) Care1st Health Plan, a physician-led healthcare organization based in Monterey Park, California, serving hundreds of thousands of members throughout California and Arizona, has been designated as one of the plans to participate in the Duals Demonstration Program in San Diego County.

The California Demonstration Program received federal approval from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services last week.

The Duals Demonstration Program-now called the "Cal MediConnect" Program-is a key element of California's Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI), which will transform the state's health care system to deliver patient-centered care that integrates all types of services, including medical, behavioral, pharmacy, and long-term support care. After a rigorous process focused on identifying health plans that are capable of providing a high-level of care coordination and a commitment to safeguarding beneficiary protections, the State of California selected Care1st as one of the qualifying plans. The integration of these services by Care1st and other health plans in this demonstration is expected to improve quality of care, reduce health disparities, meet both health and functional needs, and improve transitions among care settings.

"We are honored to be selected to participate in this new, important program," announced Anna Tran, Chief Executive Officer of Care1st. "Providing wide-ranging, high-quality healthcare to the underserved members of the San Diego community is a major keystone in Care1st's mission. We always strive to coordinate better care for our Medicare-Medicaid members so our participation in this demonstration is a natural fit."

Care1st's interest in the demonstration reflects the organization's strong belief in the concept of integrated care; the company believes that coordination across all levels of care and services is crucial in achieving optimum well-being.

Anna Tran notes, "As Care1st has firsthand experience with both Medicare and Medi-Cal, we envision the significant potential of improving care through the integrated model. But we also value the beneficiary's choice and their right to select the health care program that best meets their needs. Members who decide not to join the Cal MediConnect Program have the option to join Care1st's community by enrolling in our Medi-Cal and/or Medicare only options."

The dual-eligible population generally has complex healthcare needs marked by multiple chronic conditions. Care1st will administer a model of care that promotes a coordinated team of primary care practitioners, specialists, and community service providers in order to deliver high quality of care based on each patient's desired treatment plan and goals. The Cal MediConnect Program will maximize access to comprehensive services and ensure that the member receives the right services at the right time in the setting of their choice.

About Care1st
A plan dedicated to members first, Care1st Health Plan was founded in 1994 by a group comprised of physicians, organized medical groups, and hospitals with the heart of the community at the forefront of their minds.
This dynamic team came together to create a pro-patient healthcare delivery system that has grown over 400,000 members today. Care1st offers plans for Medi-Cal, Medicare Advantage HMO, and Dual Eligible Special needs plans.
The same healthcare professionals continue to lead Care1st as an expanding consumer based organization, striving to deliver the right care, more choices, competitive health benefits and physician focused service.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.care1st.com or contact Jamie Ueoka at Jueoka@care1st.com