Blue Cross of California Medi-Cal Broadens Local Presence.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 24, 1997--

Five Community Resource Centers Open Throughout State

Blue Cross of California, one of the state's largest providers of Medi-Cal managed care with more than 280,000 members, further demonstrated its commitment to the state's Medi-Cal population by officially opening Community Resource Centers in five counties throughout California.

The grand openings, which occurred in Kern and Fresno counties this past weekend, and in San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara counties last weekend, were well attended by each county's Medi-Cal membership as well as by representatives from community-based organizations, civic leaders and other community partners and supporters.

"Medi-Cal managed care is still a relatively new phenomenon for our members," said John Monahan, general manager, Blue Cross of California Medi-Cal Programs. "It's important they know there's a place close by they can turn to for help in understanding the 'ins' and 'outs' of their health plans. Our Community Resource Centers were conceived to offer access, guidance and support, in a local market setting, staffed by professionals who understand the particular needs of each county population."

The Centers, established to better serve beneficiaries in five Blue Cross Medi-Cal counties, are staffed by multi-lingual workers experienced in working with California's Medi-Cal members. Each Center is assisted by a Community Advisory Committee, a local board comprising members, health care professionals, community leaders and representatives of community-based organizations.

According to Monahan, the Centers were designed to help beneficiaries access their full range of Blue Cross services and benefits. Local staff are available to provide information regarding Blue Cross Medi-Cal services, benefits and programs, one-on-one help in navigating the state's Medi-Cal managed care system and counseling. Such counseling ranges from ensuring that members' children's immunizations are up-to-date to connecting members with other community-based organizations for additional help and support. The locations will also operate as sites for community-based education and programs.

Medi-Cal is California's state-funded health insurance program. Blue Cross Medi-Cal managed care is available in Alameda, Fresno, Kern, Orange, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. In Los Angeles, Blue Cross is offered as one of seven designated plans under LA Care.

Blue Cross of California, with more than 4 million medical members, is the California operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded managed care companies. Based in Woodland Hills, WellPoint serves the health care needs of approximately 6.5 million medical and nearly 22 million specialty members nationally.

WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality health plans provided through health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and specialty managed care networks. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, Medicare supplements, and 24-hour integrated, network-based workers' compensation coverage.

CONTACT: Rhonda Seaton, 818/703-2566