Cal Optima, a public corporation that oversees Medi-Cal in Orange County, has recently created a new position, Executive Director of Medi-Cal / Cal AIM, with the goal of improving the provision of Cal AIM services to beneficiaries. did. According to CalOptima representatives, this position is the first type developed by state health insurance.
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The position is given to Kelly Bruno-Nelson, President and CEO of the National Health Foundation (NHF), a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization working to improve the health of poorly serviced communities. I did. Bruno Nelson states that this new leadership position will help further promote CalOptima’s role, especially in achieving the goals of the CalAIM initiative across the state. Community support To address the social determinants of beneficiary health.
CalOptima is one of the few health insurance policies in the state. Provides all 14 of CalAIM’s community supportBruno-Nelson will create a team within CalOptima dedicated to overseeing the deployment of CalAIM so that CalOptima will comply with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) rules and guidelines and will continue to improve. It says it can be done. Meet the needs of members.
“”[CalOptima] A health plan that recognizes that the social determinants of health are 80% of our health capacity and should actually be at the forefront, “says Bruno-Nelson. “The health plan really puts healthcare directly at the center of everything, and it was very difficult to make that philosophical switch. CalOptima actually set the standard for its appearance by creating this position. I think you have set it. “
She said she will extend the basic guidelines and services outlined by DHCS and focus on applying research and developing best practices to make the implementation of CalAIM as smooth as possible. For example, the Community Support Liaison is appointed solely to assist CalOptima’s community support providers.
“”[We will be] Looking at each of those 14 community supports, “What is the minimum? What are the parameters? What do members need and how can they extend their services?” Bruno Nelson said. I am saying.
“It’s literally very attractive [Community Supports providers] In those discussions, and then trying to develop a service in each of those parameters that better reflect the needs of our members … it’s just taking a program that can be run in the way of meat and potatoes. So we are really trying to broaden our thinking, and the best way to do that is to get involved with the community-based organization that provides the service. “
She emphasized the excitement of coordinating services to CalOptima members better and rooting the provision of community support in their dignity beyond the services outlined by DHCS.
“for example, [with medically tailored meals], Do those medically adjusted diets need to be served in the traditional way? Need a Meals on Wheel Service? Is it a food pharmacy? There are various ways to provide a more culturally appropriate and ultimately more dignified diet.
That is the dignity behind the service, not just the easy route, but the dignified route that makes members feel more human and fair. “
Bruno-Nelson added that he would like to collaborate with other healthcare programs to share ideas as CalOptima’s efforts in this area continue.
“We hope to be a role model. We hope we can provide support. CalOptima will do all this work and keep all these great ideas close to us. I don’t think … the more people we can learn and partner with, the better. “
