Gold Coast Health Plan | Looking Back On 2019

Amid change, our focus remains clear The health care landscape in California is continuously changing, and 2019 was no exception. Gov. Gavin Newsom set the tone for the year–and his term–when he took office in January 2019, immediately sharing his vision for reforming health care in California. Challenges and opportunities As his first executive action, Gov. Newsom announced that the state would shift the pharmacy benefit from the Medi-Cal plans to the state, with the goal of leveraging the state’s buying power and driving down the costs of prescriptions. He also proposed expanding Medi-Cal to young adults between the ages of 19 and 25 who meet eligibility requirements despite their legal status. In March, he wrote a letter to the chief executive officers (CEOs) of Medi-Cal plans asking for their partnership in addressing early childhood development and requiring all plans to review their networks, processes, outreach and metrics for pediatric screening and services. In the midst of these changes, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) underwent some changes of its own. A financial loss during the 2018–2019 fiscal year prompted an operational restructuring. In November, the commission accepted the resignation of the chief executive officer and put an interim leadership team from Health Management Associates at the helm. Keeping members at the heart of the Plan The Plan has proven to be resilient and has continued to make strides in improving care for members. This past year, GCHP was recognized with two quality improvement awards from the state, a testament to the excellent care members are receiving from providers. The Plan also increased its community support through sponsorships and attendance at community events–including participation in two parades! GCHP also committed to holding two commission meetings per year at rotating locations in the evenings to foster greater public participation and community involvement. We expect the Plan to have a new chief executive officer in the first half of 2020. As commissioners, we look forward to working with him or her as the state Department of Health Care Services ushers in Medi-Cal Healthier California for All, a new approach to care delivery that focuses on the whole person and targets social determinants of health to reduce health disparities and inequities. We are confident in the Plan’s future and enthusiastically embrace the changes and innovations that will redefine health care in the years to come. Antonio Alatorre Chair, Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission Leadership team Margaret Tatar Interim Chief Executive Officer Patricia Tanquary Interim Chief Executive Officer Kashina Bishop Chief Financial Officer Melissa Scrymgeour Chief Administrative Officer Nancy Wharfield, MD Chief Medical Officer Brandy Armenta Chief Compliance Officer Ted Bagley Chief Diversity Officer Nilesh Hingarh, MD Associate Chief Medical Officer Directors Bob Bushey Procurement Officer Robert Franco Director of Compliance Anne Freese Director of Pharmacy Lupe Gonzalez Director of Health Education, Cultural and Linguistic Services Nicole Kanter Director of Utilization Management Rachel Lambert Director of Care Management Helen Miller Senior Director of Information Technology Steve Peiser Senior Director of Network Management Pauline Preciado Senior Director of Population Health and Equity Kris Schmidt Director of Strategy and Enterprise Analytics Anna Sproule Director of Finance Kimberly Timmerman Director of Quality Improvement Marlen Torres Director of Government and Community Relations Jeffrey Yarges Privacy Officer Compassionate care, accessible to all, for a healthy community. 2  |  Gold Coast Health Plan

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