Creation of Safety-Net-Based Provider Networks Under the California Health Care Coverage Initiative: Interim Findings

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Abstract
Organized provider networks have been developed as a method of achieving efficiencies in the delivery of health care, and to reduce problems such as limited access to specialty and tertiary care, fragmentation and duplication of services, low-quality care and poor patient outcomes. This policy brief examines the experience of ten California counties participating in the Health Care Coverage Initiative (HCCI), a demonstration project to expand coverage to low-income and indigent residents, in overcoming these barriers and creating provider networks based on existing safety-net systems. These interim findings should provide valuable information for future efforts to develop effective networks based on safety-net providers. Specifically, the brief examines the structure of the networks built, how they were implemented, the types of services and reimbursements offered, the health information technologies employed in the effort, as well as plans to further enhance the networks in the future. The counties involved in HCCI are: Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Ventura.