INLAND EMPIRE HEALTH PLAN LAUNCHES THE GET MORE OUT OF YOUR MEDI-CAL SERIES

A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

SAN BERNARDINO, CA –Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) recently hosted a meeting for 50 community based organizations to preview a training curriculum about Medi-Cal and options for persons with disabilities.

Representatives of the 50 organizations serving individuals with disabilities previewed The Get More Out of Your Medi-Cal Series: A Training Program for People with Disabilities and discussed their consumers’/clients’ key health care concerns regarding Medi-Cal.  The Training Series focuses on helping individuals with disabilities and community organizations understand the differences between Regular Medi-Cal (Fee-for-Service) and Health Plans (managed care).

IEHP designed The Get More Out of Your Medi-Cal Series: A Training Program for People with Disabilities in response to a need identified by participants in “The Experiences and Perspectives of Medi-Cal Consumers with Disabilities,” a study conducted by the Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions (CDIHP).  This local study of Medi-Cal beneficiaries with disabilities showed that 62% did not know they could choose a health plan to provide their Medi-Cal benefits.

“We learned there is an information gap concerning Medi-Cal delivery systems,” explains Carl Maier, IEHP Chief Marketing Officer.  “So we’re excited to offer The Get More Out of Your Medi-Cal curriculum to our community partners so they help individuals with disabilities make informed choices about their health care options.”

IEHP offers individualized GET MORE Out of Your Medi-Cal training for organizations serving people with disabilities.  Presentations can be targeted to staff, allied organizations, or consumers/constituents.

The training series comprises modules that can include:

·         Medi-Cal Primer

·         Getting Medi-Cal

·         Keeping Your Medi-Cal when income changes

·         Applying for SSI & SSDI

·         Your Medi-Cal Options

·         Regular Medi-Cal vs. Health Plans … additional benefits with IEHP

·         Medi-Cal & Medicare

·         Self-Advocacy