Tag: Gold Coast Health Plan

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan earns NCQA Plan Accreditation

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (on Jan. 22) announced it has earned Health Plan Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality.

NCQA Health Plan Accreditation is a widely recognized, evidence-based program dedicated to quality improvement and measurement. It provides a comprehensive framework for organizations to align and improve operations in areas that are most important to states, employers and consumers. It’s the only evaluation program that bases results on actual measurement of clinical performance (HEDIS® measures) and consumer experience (CAHPS® measures).

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan member information potentially exposed in data breach

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) recently discovered that one of its contracted business partners suffered a cyberattack that resulted in the potential disclosure of member information to an unauthorized third party.

Conduent Business Solutions, a longtime administrative services vendor for GCHP, reported that the cyberattack compromised a single employee’s email account, permitting the attacker to gain access to some files between Oct. 21, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2025. Upon discovery of the incident on Jan. 13, 2025, Conduent immediately safeguarded its systems and started an investigation. Conduent notified law enforcement of the incident and engaged a leading cybersecurity firm to assess the potential disclosure of protected health information.

Gold Coast Health Plan appoints new chief operating officer

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced the appointment of Suma Simcoe as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective Oct. 15.

“Suma brings a wealth of operational expertise, deep understanding of managed care, and a proven record of turning complex challenges into sustainable results,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s chief executive officer. “Her leadership will help strengthen our infrastructure and ensure we continue to deliver high-quality, member-centered care for Ventura County. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan launches Total Care Advantage: A new plan for people with both Medi-Cal and Medicare

CAMARILLO — Starting (Oct. 1), Ventura County residents with both Medi-Cal and Medicare coverage will be able to choose to have their care coordinated under one integrated plan from Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP).

GCHP Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP) is a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal – known as Medi-Medi members. Total Care Advantage is designed to support members by offering care coordination to help with accessing needed services, scheduling appointments, and managing chronic conditions.

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan achieves nationally recognized health equity accreditation

NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation evaluates how well an organization complies with standards in the following areas: organizational readiness; race / ethnicity, language, gender identity and sexual orientation; access and availability of language services; practitioner network cultural responsiveness; culturally and linguistically appropriate services programs; and reducing health care disparities.

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan announces inaugural grant awards to expand health care access across Ventura County

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP)  (on June 25) announced the inaugural recipients of its new Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability & Equity (RISE) Grant Program—a three-year initiative with an initial commitment of $21.9 million dollars and second- and third-year opportunities for applications. The program is aimed at strengthening Ventura County’s health care infrastructure and improving access to care for Medi-Cal members.

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Felix Nuñez to Assume Permanent Role

CAMARILLO  — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) announced the appointment of Dr. Felix Nuñez as Chief Executive Officer. A seasoned family physician and health care executive with nearly three decades of experience in managed care and health care delivery, Dr. Nuñez will lead GCHP’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable care to more than 240,000 Medi-Cal members in Ventura County.

Dr. Nuñez joined GCHP in 2022 as associate chief medical officer and assumed the role of chief medical officer the following year. He assumes the CEO role following an eight-month tenure as Acting CEO. His three-year contract starts May 1, 2025, and runs through April 30, 2028.

“I have dedicated my life’s work to vulnerable populations and underserved communities, and I am happy that I can continue to lead that important work in Ventura County,” Dr. Nuñez said. “I look forward to strengthening GCHP’s partnerships, expanding access to high quality care for our members, and continuing to build a health plan that contributes to the overall health and wellbeing of our community.”

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan distributes $225,000 for fire relief and preparedness efforts

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (Feb. 5) announced the distribution of $225,000 in sponsorships to community-based and national organizations to support Ventura County and neighboring communities to provide relief to victims of the recent fires and strengthen preparedness efforts for future emergencies.

In response to the growing needs arising from the devastation of the recent fires in Camarillo and the Greater Los Angeles area, GCHP distributed $225,000 in total funding to support the following organizations:

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan among state’s top performers for Outstanding Health Care Quality

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) connected more Medi-Cal members with vital health care screenings and immunizations in 2023, surpassing regulatory health care quality metrics and ranking it as one of only four managed care plans in the state to meet required performance levels.

The state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the agency that oversees the Medi-Cal program, requires managed care plans like GCHP to report annually on a set of health care quality performance measures known as the Managed Care Accountability Set (MCAS). Health plans are evaluated in 18 measures in four key health categories: children’s health, reproductive health and cancer prevention, chronic disease management, and behavioral health.

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan Launches $1.5 Million Scholarship Program to Strengthen Diversity in Behavioral Health Workforce

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (on Nov. 18) announced the launch of a groundbreaking scholarship program that aims to develop a more diverse behavioral health workforce to ensure Ventura County residents have access to culturally responsive care. The $1.5 million initiative is funded through the state Department of Health Care Services’ Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP), which aims to expand access to behavioral health services for children and adolescents enrolled in Medi-Cal.

Gold Coast Health Plan Announces Dr. Felix Nuñez has been named Acting Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Nuñez joined GCHP in 2022 as associate chief medical officer. In 2023, he assumed the role of chief medical officer. He is an accomplished board-certified family physician and health care leader with nearly three decades of leadership in managed care and health care delivery. Prior to joining GCHP, Dr. Nuñez served for eight years at Molina Healthcare of California as the regional medical director for the Inland Empire. A proud native Angeleno and Mexican-American, Dr. Nuñez is passionate about improving health care access and quality of care for underserved and vulnerable populations.

Gold Coast Health Plan Celebrates the Appointment of Laura Espinosa as the First-Ever Latina Chairperson of the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission

She is the first consumer representative to serve in that role. Former board chair transitions to role of vice chair; two new members join the Commission

“We applaud Laura for her longstanding dedication to health care advocacy in Ventura County and celebrate this milestone as she becomes the first Latina to hold this esteemed position as chair of the Commission,” said GCHP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nick Ligouri. “With deep roots in Santa Paula and the Santa Clara Valley at large, Laura embodies the vital voice of our community. Her dedication to the community and understanding of the health care needs of our members make her an invaluable asset to the Commission, especially as we continue to evolve in an ever-changing health care landscape.”

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan Appoints Chief Innovation Officer

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced the appointment of Eve Gelb as its new Chief Innovation Officer. With a proven track record of success, Eve will serve in a critical role, helping drive excellence, innovation, and quality care for GCHP’s more than 250,000 Medi-Cal members.

“As part of Gold Coast Health Plan’s mission to continue to build and improve equity and access across the Medi-Cal system of services and supports in Ventura County, we thoughtfully added a Chief Innovation Officer position to our Executive Team – which itself is an innovation for the organization,” said Nick Liguori, GCHP’s Chief Executive Officer. “Eve will lead the way as we improve the execution and integration of complex, mission-critical and strategic initiatives that will ultimately lead to better outcomes for our members, greater access to quality care, and a superior member experience.”

Gold Coast Health Plan Members May Be Eligible to Receive a $50 Gift Card for Getting Their First COVID-19 Vaccination by Feb. 28

In an effort to increase vaccination rates across Ventura County among its members, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), Ventura County’s Medi-Cal plan, is offering eligible members a $50 gift card when they receive their first COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and help protect adults and children ages five years and older from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19. More than 68 million Californians already have received their first COVID-19 vaccination.

Gold Coast Health Plan Announces New Chief Executive Officer

Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) announced (on Dec. 10) that its governing board has appointed Nick Liguori as chief executive officer of the Ventura County Medi-Cal plan effective Feb. 1.

At its monthly meeting on Dec. 16, the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) approved a three-year contract with Mr. Liguori. The contract runs through Jan. 31, 2025.

“We are thrilled to have Nick lead Gold Coast Health Plan for the next three years,” said Dee Pupa, VCMMCC chair and deputy director of managed care at the Ventura County Health Care Agency. “His vast experience as a leader at health plans that focused on serving vulnerable populations will be an asset to Gold Coast Health Plan’s members and providers as the Medi-Cal program undergoes transformational changes in the coming years.”

Gold Coast Health Plan Celebrates 10 Years of Serving Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Members

Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), Ventura County’s Medi-Cal plan, is celebrating 10 years of providing health care services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

On July 1, 2011, GCHP began operations as the sixth County Organized Health System in California, bringing managed care to about 100,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Ventura County. In 10 years, GCHP’s membership more than doubled to about 220,000 members and as it grew, the amount of staff did as well, from about 25 to nearly 200.

Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan Condemns Hate Crimes Against the Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities

Gold Coast Health Plan’s governing board, the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission, along with its chief executive officer and chief diversity officer, issued a resolution condemning violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and other people of color.

“The Commission is proud of the contribution from minority groups across the country and condemns any and all discriminatory actions taken against them,” the resolution reads.

Gold Coast Health Plan — Medi-Cal Pharmacy Program Implementation Extended by Three Months

The timeline for Gold Coast Health Plan’s pharmacy program transition has been extended to April 1, 2021.

The new program by the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), known as Medi-Cal Rx, will carve-out all prescription benefits from managed care plans like GCHP. Upon implementation, all pharmacy claims will be submitted directly to the state via its pharmacy benefit manager, Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. DHCS announced the new implantation date last month, citing “the ongoing uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency” for its decision to extend the timeline.

Gold Coast Health Plan Member Alert during Brush Fires

Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan is Making it Easy for Members to Access Prescriptions and Transportation During the Fires CAMARILLO —  During the fires, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) members can get their prescriptions filled, receive necessary oxygen, and have their…

Bilingual report: Gold Coast Health Plan to present Seventh Annual Health and Resource Fair on June 23

OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is teaming up with its provider and community partners once again to provide free health screenings and resources in Oxnard. GCHP’s Seventh Annual Health and Resource Fair will be held at Plaza Park…

Gold Coast Health Plan Hires Chief Financial Officer

Accomplished Health Plan Executive to Take the Financial Helm of Ventura County Medi-Cal Plan CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) announced today the hiring of Kashina Bishop as its new chief financial officer (CFO). “I’m excited to welcome Kashina to Gold Coast…

Gold Coast Health Plan Helps Fire Victims at Ventura County Shelters

Health Navigators are Assisting Members Impacted by the Thomas Fire CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is providing trained, bilingual health navigators for its members at the county’s two largest evacuation sites in response to the Thomas Fire. GCHP outreach representatives…

Gold Coast Health Plan Helps Fund the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Fall Prevention Program

Medi-Cal Plan Awards $50,000 to Local Health Care Agency   CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan has awarded $50,000 to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Fall Prevention Program through its Community Health Investments initiative. The award supports supervisor John C.…

Gold Coast Health Plan Appoints New Chief Medical Officer

Veteran Health Care Professional Selected for Medi-Cal Plan’s CMO Role CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced that Dr. Nancy Wharfield has assumed the role of chief medical officer (CMO) effective immediately. Wharfield had previously served as the Plan’s associate…

Gold Coast Health Plan Launches Grantmaking Program

Medi-Cal Plan Introduces Community Health Investment Program to Address Social Determinants of Health CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP)  announced the launch of its Community Health Investment program that awards monetary grants to locally qualified organizations that are addressing social…

Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission Hires Chief Diversity Officer

Industry Veteran and Diversity Expert Joins Gold Coast Health Plan CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) today announced that Douglas C. Freeman has accepted the position of chief diversity officer (CDO), at Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP). Mr. Freeman…

Gold Coast Health Plan Signs Contract with New Pharmacy Benefit Manager

Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan to Begin Partnership with OptumRx in 2017 CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) has finalized its contract with OptumRx to manage the prescription drug benefits for the Plan’s more than 207,000 members. Starting next year, the Minnesota-based…

Gold Coast Health Plan Turns 5

Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan to Celebrate 5-Year Anniversary CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is celebrating its five-year anniversary on Friday, July 29 with a fun event that will recognize the contributions of the Plan’s employees. GCHP went live on July…

Gold Coast Health Plan Awards Nearly $60,000 to Support Community Health Care Programs in Ventura County

Medi-Cal Plan Issues Funds Under New Community Investment Initiative CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is sponsoring two programs under its newly created Alternative Resources for Community Health (ARCH) initiative. The goal of ARCH is to invest in the health and…

Gold Coast Health Plan Teams Up with Health Partners to Host Diabetes Awareness Event on June 11

Public is Invited to Day of Free Health Screenings, Cooking Demonstrations, Entertainment and Raffles CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) has partnered with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Ventura County Department of Public Health and Dignity Health’s St.…

VCMMCC Signals Rejection of Pharmacy Benefit Manager Selection

Commissioners to be More Active in the Selection Process CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) directed staff to prepare an agenda item for an upcoming special meeting formally rejecting all current bids received for the pharmacy benefit manager…

Gold Coast Health Plan’s Membership Hits a Milestone

Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan Now Serves More than 200,000 Residents CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) reached a milestone in its membership this month, surpassing 200,000 members. With 202,360 members, GCHP is on track to quickly surpass its projected membership…

Gold Coast Health Plan to recognize Diabetes Awareness Month with resource fair on Nov. 7 in Oxnard

OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will recognize Diabetes Awareness Month in November with a “Diabetes Awareness Resource Fair” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Oxnard Public Library, 1251 S. A St., Oxnard. The program will feature…

Local health information

> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of October in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health…

Local health information

> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of September in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health Care…

Local health information

> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of August in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-08 to find times, dates and locations.   > The Ventura County…