More than 31,000 patients who receive healthcare through Riverside County’s low-income health program will automatically transfer to Medi-Cal coverage on Jan. 1 without any disruption in services, program administrators said this week.
The program, known as Riverside County HealthCare, was launched Jan. 2012, making the county one of the first in the nation to participate in early federal healthcare expansion. The no-cost program has been available to qualified individuals between the ages of 19 and 64 whose income is below 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
Funded by matching county and federal dollars, the program aimed to provide uninsured patients basic health coverage. On Jan. 1, 2014, patients in the county program will be transferred to Medi-Cal and will join a Medi-Cal health plan such as Molina Healthcare or the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). RCHC is working closely with the Medi-Cal health plans in Riverside County to ensure patients do not experience a disruption in services.
Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We want to assure our patients will have continuity in their care,” said Program Manager Jan Remm, an assistant hospital administrator at Riverside County Regional Medical Center. “Patients who want to keep their current doctor can do so. Those who have an authorized referral for a specialist or other services from RCHC will be able to keep those appointments without needing a new referral.”
Patients receiving mental health services should also continue to see their current provider during the transition. There is no need to get a new referral if one was already in place through RCHC.
Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Remm said patients who are using Riverside County HealthCare’s pharmacy services will have expanded access to local pharmacies. There may be a difference in the plans’ coverage for certain drugs. Patients should check with their new Medi-Cal health plans for additional locations.
“Patients can check with their doctor, pharmacist or call us if they have questions,” Remm said.
For enrollment and eligibility questions 1-877-501-5085; provider relations 1-877-500-1255; mental health services 1-800-706-7500; RCHC pharmacy questions 1-877-501-1572 or visit us online at www.riversidecountyhealthcare.org. --Contributed content from Riverside County Regional Medical Center
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
