L.A. Care Successfully Completes Cal MediConnect Readiness Review

LOS ANGELES – L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, is pleased to announce that it has received readiness review approval from NORC, the organization contracted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct the Cal MediConnect reviews nationally. The purpose of the readiness review is to test health plan capabilities to ensure high quality care and consistency throughout programs.
 
Cal MediConnect is a three-year pilot program that integrates medical care, long-term care, mental health and substance use programs and social services under a coordinated care plan for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal. Voluntary enrollment in Los Angeles County is slated to begin next month.
 
“L.A. Care has a proven track record of providing high quality, cost-effective health care in Los Angeles County, with more than 16 years of expertise in serving Medi-Cal members, seniors and people with disabilities,” said Howard A. Kahn, L.A. Care Chief Executive Officer. “Cal MediConnect will allow us to improve care coordination and health outcomes, and maximize the ability of dual eligibles to remain independent, active and mobile in the comfort of their community.”
 
For more than two years, L.A. Care has been working to design the delivery system for Cal MediConnect, meeting with advocates, caretakers, current members and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and culturally sensitive program.
 
While challenges remain, L.A. Care believes that transitioning people with high medical and social support needs into a health plan that offers a coordinated care system is the right thing to do.
 
L.A. Care looks forward to further working with CMS, the California Department of Health Care Services and additional stakeholders to ensure that all measures allow the goals of the program to be maximized.

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