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.
Tag: Gold Coast Health Plan
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 Receives Two Managed Care Quality Awards
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 Partners with Camarillo Health Care District
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) and the Camarillo Health Care District (CHCD) on June 14 announced the signing of a one-year contract to launch a pilot program geared at strengthening the commitment of both organizations to provide quality health care.…
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.…
Gold Coast Health Plan Hosts 5th Annual Community Resource Fair on May 14
Public is Invited to Day of Free Health Screenings, Resources and Entertainment OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is holding a family-themed health fair in Oxnard on Saturday in anticipation of the thousands of children that are expected to enroll…
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 Gets Green Light from State to Repay County Loan
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan in Strong Financial Position CAMARILLO — As a continuing sign of its strong financial performance, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) received approval from the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to repay a $7.2 million line…
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…
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 July in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
Gold Coast Health Plan to present 4th annual Community Resource Fair on June 6 in Oxnard
OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will present its 4th annual Community Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Plaza Park, 500 S. C St., downtown Oxnard. The event includes free health screenings and resource…
Local news briefs
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation awarded more than $563,000 in scholarships to 284 Ventura College students in May, the organization reported in a media release. Awards ranged from $500 to $9,500 and were presented by the foundation to recipients…
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 June in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-06 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 May in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-05 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
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 April in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-04 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura…
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 March in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-03 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
Local health information
> The Ventura County Health Care Agency provides a calendar of upcoming health events, including flu clinics during February, at http://www.vchca.org/events En español > Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free 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 January in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-01 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
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 December in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-12 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura…
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 November in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-11 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
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 various locations in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-10 to find times, dates and locations of upcoming…
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 various locations in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-09 to find times, dates and locations of upcoming…
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 various locations in Ventura County. Visit the organization’s online calendar at http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-08 to find times,…
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 July in various locations in Ventura County. Visit the organization’s online calendar at http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar to find times, dates…
Bilingual report: Community Resource Fair to be held June 28 in Oxnard
OXNARD — A “Community Resource Fair,” featuring free health screenings, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at Del Sol Park, 1800 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard. Presented by Gold Coast Health Plan and sponsored by…
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 June in various locations in Ventura County. Visit the organization’s online calendar at http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-06 to find times,…
Local health information
> Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation will present ‘Motion by the Ocean Walk / Run’ on Sunday, May 4 at San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura. Proceeds of the event will benefit the new Community Memorial Hospital. The event includes 1/5/10k courses,…
Local health information
> “Baby Steps — A Comprehensive Prenatal Progam” will be presented by the Ventura County Health Care Agency at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 at Ventura County Medical Center, 3291 Loma Vista Road, Ventura in the large auditorium. Spanish-, English-…
March cover story: Health care issues take centerstage
Affordable Care Act March 31 deadline, new health agency chief and health plan’s improvement of services top the list By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With the deadline looming for open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace, the announcement of…
More local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will present information on Covered California on Feb. 6 in Oak View, Fillmore and Simi Valley; Feb. 7 in Santa Paula and Fillmore; Feb. 11, 12, 13 and 14 in Oxnard; Feb. 13 in…
Local health information
> Cottage Health Systems will present its Prepared Childbirth Weekday Series on Thursdays from Jan. 2 through Jan. 30 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, 400 W. Pueblo St., Santa Barbara. The program includes prepared childbirth series, condensed class, breastfeeding, new…