CenCal Health's Community Pulse eNewsletter

CenCal HEALTH

AUGUST 2016

SANTA BARBARA
4050 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

SAN LUIS OBISPO
1288 Morro Street

Suite 100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Toll Free: (800) 421-2560

Tel: (805) 685-9525

www.cencalhealth.org

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program

For over 20 years CenCal Health has operated a Health Insurance Premium Payment program (HIPP), through which we assist a small portion of our members in paying premiums for other health coverage (private insurance) that they may have.

Our HIPP program is modeled on a California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) program, and is similar to our other County Organized Health System (COHS) partners premium assistance programs.

At the end of 2015 we began winding down the HIPP program for administrative reasons. We are communicating with the covered members to assure them that we will be continuing to administer and cover their care with their current providers. Our decision has the approval of the DHCS.

Behavioral Health Workshops

CenCal Health hosted three Behavioral Health Seminars (Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria) with over 185 attendees where we reviewed the current intake, access and referral process of members to The Holman Group.

In addition to providing current information about the mental health benefit, CenCal Health partnered with the County of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness and San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department and presented information on services for individuals with serious mental health and drug and alcohol diagnosis.

CenCal HEALTH Membership Report

Below are the current total population figures, including the current Medi-Cal expansion population figures. CenCal Health now provides health insurance for one in four residents of Santa Barbara County, and one in five residents of San Luis Obispo County.

Update: Healthy Kids Transition

A s a reminder to the community, our Healthy Kids program ended as of June 30, 2016.

The transition of former Healthy Kids members over to full scope Medi-Cal went smoothly. Children less than 19 years of age can apply for full scope Medi-Cal benefits regardless of their immigration status now due to a new law that went into effect in May of 2016.

To learn more about the Medi-Cal program and what you need to do to apply, please Click Here for the names and phone numbers of agencies that can assist you in the application process. For general questions or assistance, please call our Member Services Department at (877) 814-1861 or CA Relay 711 for the hearing impaired.

Camp Wheez, Santa Barbara

CenCal Health participated as a sponsor in Sansum Clinic's "Camp Wheez" in early August. Camp Wheez, a day camp in Santa Barbara for children with asthma, is for ch ildren ages 6-12 and provides kids with fun camp activities while they learn about asthma.

The program is free, and we helped promote this to our member families by mailing a letter, alo ng with a Camp Wheez brochure, registration form, and Asthma Action Plan to 306 English s peaking families and 281 Spanish speaking families in South Santa Barbara County. The mailing went out to parents of children in our Breathe SMART program, ages 6 to 12. Our Health E ducator, Gaby Labrana, participated in some of the fun events.

September 10 - Doctors without Walls "Glow in the Park" (SB)

September 15 - Latino Outreach Council's "Fiestas Patrias" (SLO)

September 17 - United Way's "Day of Caring" (SB)

September 22 - 5 Cities Homeless Coalition "Empty Bowls" (SLO)

September 24 - American Heart Association's "Heart Walk" (SB)

October 15 - American Cancer Society "Strides to end Breast Cancer Walk" (SB)

October 29 - Alzheimer's Association's "Walk to End Alzheimer's" (SLO)

On the Horizon

Be on the lookout for CenCal Health's new Community Report, that contains annual report data as well as a host of other information about our health plan and what we do i n our community. We have some great provider and member testimonials to share, as well as reflection on what we've done since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and a roadmap t o our future as well.

We pride ourselves on our innovative programs, as well as our financial stewardsh ip and general culture of excellence. We hope you'll take the time to read this, and give us your feedback. Coming soon to your mailbox.

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