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ican residents through a series of local public service announcements (PSAs) that encourage navigating family health matters, including COVID-19 vaccines. Actors/entrepreneurs Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, currently starring on ABC’s “Station 19” and HBO Max’s “And Just Like That,” respectively, have been supporting health and wellness initiatives for years through their Kodjoe Family Foundation. Today they continue to help share fact-based health information with their community. “The truth is, our community is still being hit hardest by this virus and vaccines lower our risk of getting sick or even dying of COVID-19,” said Parker in one of the campaign segments, which were funded in partnership with San Bernardino County’s COVID Equity Grant. Nearly three years after the start of COVID-19 pandemic, the Inland Empire continues to report low vaccine rates, especially among Black residents, resulting in increased hospitalizations and deaths. “We understand the concerns our Black and minority residents have in regards to the vaccine,” said Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Takashi Wada. “It isn’t enough to just tell community members to get vaccinated and that the vaccines work, we’re inviting them to empower themselves through awareness and gathering information from trusted sources.” Like the celebrity couple of Boris and Nicole, Dr. Wada further encourages all Inland Empire residents to get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters directly from reliable sources such as official websites and licensed medical experts. “The best thing you can really do to support the health and wellness of your family is to read the data and ask your doctors questions, so you CAN make sound decisions regarding the health and wellness of your family,” Dr. Wada added. Topics of the “Boris and Nicole” PSAs include various messages about protecting the Inland Empire community and family health as well as encouraging residents who have doubts to visit IEHP’s COVID-19 website to gather accurate and timely information. The announcements began running on KMIR Palm Springs stations and IE Spectrum stations and will continue through summer 2023.

AN AND IEHP HEALTH ACCESS. Date of Meeting: January 10, 2022 Time of Meeting: 9:00 AM Location of Meeting:  Inland Empire Health Plan Headquarters 10801 Sixth Street, Suite 120 Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730 This Notice shall confirm the REGULAR MEETING of the Joint Powers Agencies - INLAND EMPIRE HEALTH PLAN AND IEHP HEALTH ACCESS. If disability-related accommodations are needed to participate in this meeting, please contact Annette Taylor, Secretary to the IEHP Governing Board at (909) 296-3584 during regular business hours of IEHP (M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Agenda Copies of the Packet may be obtained here.

AN AND IEHP HEALTH ACCESS. Date of Meeting: December 13, 2021 Time of Meeting: 9:00 AM Location of Meeting:  Inland Empire Health Plan Headquarters 10801 Sixth Street, Suite 120 Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730 This Notice shall confirm the REGULAR MEETING of the Joint Powers Agencies - INLAND EMPIRE HEALTH PLAN AND IEHP HEALTH ACCESS. If disability-related accommodations are needed to participate in this meeting, please contact Annette Taylor, Secretary to the IEHP Governing Board at (909) 296-3584 during regular business hours of IEHP (M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Agenda  Copies of the Packet may be obtained here.

of Riverside and San Bernardino families that rely on Medi-Cal benefits. To avoid a public health crisis after the annual redetermination process of Medi-Cal resumed this week, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and Riverside County’s Department of Public Social Services and San Bernardino County’s Transitional Assistance Department are coordinating a first-of-its-kind partnership. California warns that approximately 2-3 million Medi-Cal enrollees statewide could lose or see interruptions in their health care coverage during the process. “The annual redetermination process is one of the biggest efforts taking place in the history of the Medi-Cal program,” said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton. “The partnership with the two counties demonstrates our commitment to making sure Inland Empire residents have continued coverage.” All three entities are working in tandem to share data and coordinate strategic outreach efforts to ensure residents undergoing the Medi-Cal renewal process complete and submit requested information. “The county and partner agencies are ready to help residents impacted through the redetermination process to keep these essential benefits,” said Riverside County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen. “We are reaching out to the 37,000 residents by mail and phone whose redeterminations are due in June. We’ve also alerted local hospitals, clinics, and health care providers. We will be reaching out to our impacted residents directly each month as their redeterminations come due.” Beginning this month, residents who receive Medi-Cal renewal packets in the mail must complete and send back the requested information included in the yellow renewal packets within 60 days or lose their Medi-Cal benefits. Members could start losing coverage as early as July 1, impacting current treatment of severe illnesses or chronic conditions and increasing out-of-pocket medical costs. “The County is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of those who depend on Medi-Cal benefits,” said San Bernardino County’s Transitional Assistance Department Director Gilbert Ramos. “With the end of the federal Public Health Emergency, collaborating with IEHP and Riverside County will help raise awareness of the actions beneficiaries must take to maintain their health care coverage and in many cases their quality of life.”   In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (CAA) – which stipulated the continuous coverage provision that prohibited states from disenrolling members from Medicaid since 2020, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency would expire at the end of March 2023. To prepare, IEHP has hired an eligibility team fully dedicated to helping IEHP members complete the Medi-Cal redetermination process. Each month after receiving lists of members coming up for renewal and updated and verified contact information from both counties, the IEHP team will reach out to members via text and/or phone to alert them this important packet is coming in the mail. “The County’s partnership will help beneficiaries stay informed of these next crucial steps to complete the requested information within the 60 days and ensure continuity of health care coverage,” said San Bernardino County’s Chief Executive Officer Leonard X. Hernandez. Once the packet is received, IEHP will assist the member in completing and submitting the required information, whether by phone or with one-on-one assistance at a community resource center. The IEHP team will continue checking in until the member has submitted the information by mail, phone, online, or at a local county Medi-Cal office. Medi-Cal members may also receive assistance through the county Medi-Cal office. The good news is Medi-Cal members whose household income now exceeds eligibility requirements won’t fall through the system. These members will be automatically enrolled into Covered California, the state health insurance marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. There, they may be eligible for a federally subsidized health plan. For more information or assistance, IEHP members may call the IEHP eligibility team at 1-888-860-1296. Non-IEHP members should visit benefitscal.com.

community resource centers for free fitness and wellness classes, health resources and more!  Air-conditioned and open to the public, IEHP’s community resource centers in Riverside, San Bernardino and Victorville are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. They follow all Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and have implemented rigorous cleaning and sanitation routines to safely welcome visitors.   The health plan will also schedule supportive community events, like COVID-19 vaccine clinics and a “Family Day,” to help families prepare for their children’s back-to-school needs.  “We understand how tough supporting a family can be and the importance of making sure your children have what they need to go out in the world and be successful. We have your back,” said Delia Orosco, manager of the IEHP Victorville Community Resource Center.  Family Day will take place at all three community resource centers on the following dates and times:  Saturday, July 9 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 805 W. Second St., Suite C, San Bernardino, CA 92410 Saturday, July 16 9 a.m.- noon 3590 Tyler St., Suite 101, Riverside, CA 92503 Saturday July 29 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. 12353 Mariposa Road, Suites C-2 & C-3, Victorville, CA 92395 “We’re looking forward to providing families with children’s backpacks, school supplies and household items at our upcoming Family Day events in July,” said Maria Gallegos, manager of the centers in Riverside and San Bernardino. “It’s truly an honor to meet our Members and neighbors in this way, and we hope you’ll visit us this summer and join in on all the fun.” Throughout the summer, the centers’ course offerings will include food demonstrations, Zumba, yoga for seniors and people with disabilities, aerobic boxing, meditation and more. “Our community resource centers provide a safe space for healthy self-expression through recreational activities, mental stimulation and sense of community,” said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton. “Our teams work incredibly hard to provide our visitors with a variety of classes, including benefit or resource navigation, to ensure they receive the services they need, when they need them.” To learn more about IEHP’s community resource centers, course offerings and events visit iehp.org or follow IEHP on Facebook!   

’s (IEHP) Mission INSPIRE Award at the health plan’s second annual Mission Conference on May 6. The award recognized CAPSBC’s dedication to eliminating the effects of poverty through advocacy for community members to obtain knowledge and skills for self-reliance and economic stability.  In just one year, CAPSBC has supported over 800,000 individuals, distributed over 16.3 million pounds of food, served 214,415 meals through soup kitchen partners, provided 541 individuals with new rental and eviction prevention assistance, supported 389 individuals with housing placements, assisted 9,826 individuals with utility assistance, and more.  “Our agency is all about helping people and changing lives and we want to acknowledge that IEHP is a valuable partner to the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County, and we could not do our work without that partnership,” said Patricia Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC President and CEO.   In collaboration with IEHP, CAPSBC also created drive-thrus to distribute food and household items at the health plan’s three Community Resource Centers and shared logistics and best practices for food distribution with IEHP teams to support the ongoing Member needs.  “We know the needs in our county are daunting and that in order to make our communities stronger and more resilient, it takes individuals and organizations that understand those needs and IEHP does that every day. They show up for the community and they support the work that’s being done to make this community a better place to live,” said Nickols-Butler. “Thank you IEHP for this recognition; we are humbled and deeply grateful.” CAPSBC is one of the first recipients of the IEHP Mission INSPIRE Award. The award honors providers, community organizations and partners for their commitment to the health plan’s mission to “heal and inspire the human spirit.”  “It takes a village to support our Members,” said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer. “Even amidst a global pandemic, our friends at Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County stopped at nothing to continue serving their communities and organizations like IEHP. Their knowledge, support and partnership are critical to our mission, and we are grateful for it.” To learn more about the IEHP Mission Conference and how the health plan is charting a collaborative path forward, visit iehp.org.

IEHP) will host a series of maternal health events at all three of their Community Resource Centers throughout the month of May.  The events will celebrate new moms and moms-to-be and will provide resources including postpartum care and access to community partner support including CalFresh. Medi-Cal enrollment support and guidance on how and when to access care will also be offered. In addition, events will focus on the behavioral health of pregnant and postpartum members. According to California Department of Public Health’s latest Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, 21% of pregnant and postpartum Californians report depressive symptoms which negatively impact the health and wellness outcomes of newborns and their parents. “We know these statistics heavily impact our members in the Inland Empire. Some studies have found troubling racial and ethnic disparities in receiving mental health care for postpartum depression,” said Ruth Villalpando Albarran, IEHP Licensed Behavioral Health Care Manager. “These events are designed to guide and assist members at every stage of their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Working together, we can help ensure optimal care and inspire vibrant health for them and their little ones.” The health plan hosted its first event on May 18 at its Riverside Community Resource Center. Additional events will be hosted at IEHP’s San Bernardino and Victorville Community Resource Centers at 805 West 2nd Street, suite C in San Bernardino on Wednesday, May 25 and at 12353 Mariposa Road, Suites C-2 & C-3 in Victorville on Thursday, May 26. Both events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members can register by visiting ConnectIE.org.  

h the community of Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies across the country.  IEHP earned its certification this year after 92% of IEHP’s 2,817 Team Members shared the health plan was a great place to work in the organization’s annual Engagement Survey. “We have a wonderful learning center, a gym and great benefits that is afforded to us. I'm proud to be a part of the IEHP family and motivated to contribute to its success in any way that I can,” expressed an IEHP Team Member in the anonymous survey. Great Place to Work Certification™ is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is a global benchmark for identifying outstanding employee experiences. “IEHP’s strong culture and values have established a work environment Team Members are genuinely excited about,” said Janet Nix, Ed.D., IEHP Chief Organizational Development Officer. “Our team culture is centered around doing the right thing and is built upon strong relationships, trust, appreciation, and commitment to continually moving forward. Our annual Engagement Survey illustrates the impact our culture has on our Team Members and the joy their work brings to them.” IEHP’s annual Engagement Survey results show 96% of Team Members feel good about ways the organization contributes to its community; 95% reported having special and unique company benefits; 95% reported Team Members are made to feel welcome when joining the company; 94% claimed facilities contributed to a good working environment; and 94% were proud to tell others their place of employment.  “Great Place to Work Certification™ isn’t something that comes easily,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place to Work. “It takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience.” Even through the COVID-19 pandemic, IEHP’s leadership remained connected to Team Members by hosting virtual monthly company meetings, regular email updates and even delivering holiday gifts by mail to Team Member homes. IEHP employees consistently report high job satisfaction, earning the Inland Empire Top Workplaces 2020 Award and placing second in the United States Healthcare Industry. “These survey results show that our Team Members are engaged, dedicated and truly care about the work they do every day to serve the most vulnerable in our region,” said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer. “I am so proud to partner with them and look forward to finding even more new and innovative ways to support their continuing efforts to make a difference in our community.” WE’RE HIRING! Looking to grow your career at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at: careers.iehp.org. src=" -/media/35ed3bad40144c4f8134b420c7714254.ashx?h="233&w=350"" class="" />

e teaming up this season to connect residents to needed community health resources, including vaccine access. Kicking the partnership into gear, the health plan’s marketing team will collaborate with Ontario Fury to organize interactive social media interviews, promote vaccine clinics, and more. “This partnership is a dynamic step forward for promoting community health in our region,” said Cesar Armendariz, IEHP’s Community Health Senior Director. “As families begin to enjoy events and activities again, it’s important that vaccines and health information remain accessible and top of mind to keep everyone protected. This partnership allows both organizations to engage with our communities in a fun and exciting new way than ever before, and we look forward to addressing positive health messages to our IE community and avid soccer fans!” Ontario Fury’s season began December 15 in a home opener at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif., and will run through April 2022. During their season, the partnership will also honor First Responders by hosting a Heroes Night in the spring.  “Ontario Fury is excited to partner with such an amazing organization like IEHP,” said Jimmy Nordberg, Ontario Fury Head Coach. “With common goals and vision of our managing partner Mr. Jeffery Burum, to help the community and inspire others to be champions, it was a great fit.  IEHP will truly help the community and the Ontario Fury on our mission to be #ChampionshipBound!” To learn more about the Ontario Fury or view the season schedule, visit ontariofury.com.   

rents of Members to feel confident in advocating for themselves, their children, and family members to access the behavioral healthcare they need. The health plan supports more than 7,500 Members who are utilizing behavioral health treatment services for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions. Such services may include: applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry services and more. “Having Autism or being on the spectrum is nothing to be afraid of,” said Heather Waters, IEHP’s Manager of Behavioral Health and Care Management. “As a health plan, we want to take the stigma out of asking or seeking behavioral healthcare and encourage our Members or parents of Members to trust their gut and ask for support as soon as they spot any signs or symptoms of possible developmental delays.” Waters shared that early treatment and recognition of symptoms, as early as one year of age and before a child enters school, can result in better health outcomes, especially for children. Signs and symptoms vary and can range from obsessive or compulsive behaviors to poor social skills, delayed milestones, and more. IEHP Medi-Cal Members can be referred to services and treatment for ASD symptoms by a Medical Doctor or a Licensed Psychologist. This allows Members under 21 years of age to access critically important behavioral and developmental therapies immediately, while they undergo the autism evaluation process.   IEHP’s Internal Behavioral Health Team helps Members and their families navigate an ASD diagnosis through actively coordinating services and additional resources through partnerships with several provider groups and local agencies across the region. Recently, IEHP collaborated with the Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence (AAC) to provide a Member in Indio with a complete Autism Diagnostic Evaluation through telehealth appointments. “Even with care coordination challenges like location and Member condition, the situation wasn’t impossible,” said Waters. “As the Member and their family connected with the AAC, our team checked in regularly to make sure the services were effective and to remind the family and Member that they were not alone in this journey.” To receive an evaluation or additional services, Members are encouraged to call IEHP’s Member Services at 1-800-440-4347 and ask for the Behavioral Health Department.

AN AND IEHP HEALTH ACCESS. Date of Meeting: November 8, 2021 Time of Meeting: 9:00 AM Location of Meeting:  Inland Empire Health Plan Headquarters 10801 Sixth Street, Suite 120 Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730 This Notice shall confirm the REGULAR MEETING of the Joint Powers Agencies - INLAND EMPIRE HEALTH PLAN AND IEHP HEALTH ACCESS. If disability-related accommodations are needed to participate in this meeting, please contact Annette Taylor, Secretary to the IEHP Governing Board at (909) 296-3584 during regular business hours of IEHP (M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Agenda Copies of the Packet may be obtained here.

in their upcoming event, MALO ‘E OFA Christmas 2022 Extravaganza Resource Fair and Vaccine Clinic, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at First United Methodist Church of Ontario, in Ontario, Calif. The event will provide attendees with free vaccines, groceries, children’s toys and gifts, afternoon Zumba and lots of holiday cheer. Vaccines will include Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Pediatric Moderna vaccines and boosters for children 6 months through 11 years old will also be available. Those who would like to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to make an appointment online here. MALO, a non-profit organization established in 2017, serves more than 2,000 Tongan Americans in the Inland Empire through youth mentorship, job readiness, resource literacy and cultural gathering events. “Our community has been under-resourced for decades – these partnerships are a sign of hope that our beautiful and deserving community will get the resources needed to live a life with good health and accessible health care,” said Lolofi Soakai, MALO founder and executive director. “Having partners in health care gives a peace of mind knowing that current health concerns are addressed, and preventive care is accessible” Through their years of partnership, MALO and IEHP have collaborated to distribute back-to-school backpacks, hosted various vaccine clinics, and provided personal protective equipment and household items during the COVID-19 pandemic. IEHP has also assisted MALO by providing information on health and wellness benefits. “Meeting our communities where they are and ensuring their access to vaccines and health and wellness resources is a cornerstone of who IEHP is,” said LuAnna Jauregui, IEHP community partnerships manager. “Partnering with organizations like MALO allows us to deliver on our promise to ‘heal and inspire the human spirit’ and support health equity in our region.” To learn more about MALO and their important work in the Inland Empire, visit malotongaie.org

rst social worker Dennis Kaney, who served residents of the Inland Empire for 16 years before his passing earlier this month. In speaking with Kaney earlier this year to learn more about his experience as an IEHP Team Member, he described his role as "doing what he loved most”—providing individualized, quality care and support to the region’s most vulnerable Members through his work as an IEHP Case Manager.  In January, Kaney met an IEHP Member who had sustained life-threatening injuries in a car accident, leaving the Member with paralysis in their limbs (known as a quadriplegia).   Kaney, who was wheelchair-bound himself, understood the need for multi-level support and wasted no time connecting the Member to resources to aid in the massive life transition. “I believe through my work at IEHP, I am able to do exactly what I am meant to do and use my personal experiences to help someone navigate their new beginning,” Kaney said. Through this connection, Kaney helped the Member discover new ways to manage daily life, including how to travel with a chair, how to write, talk, and how to best utilize available resources and tools. This ultimately provided the Member with hope and a reminder that their life was in no way over. “A heartfelt connection provides more care to the human spirit than we realize,” said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we honor Dennis and observe Social Work Month, we celebrate the spirit of all social workers who bring courage and empathy to a world that desperately needs their light and love.”  

ible for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits, regardless of their immigration status. Under California Assembly Bill 133, health plans like Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) are now able to provide these adults access to services like preventive healthcare, behavioral health services, vision care and more. In 2019, the state made its first historic move to provide full-scope Medi-Cal services to all California residents 0-26 years old. AB 133 is now the state’s boldest move toward health equity and provides the most inclusive health care policy for low-income persons in the nation. “Everyone deserves access to health and wellness services they can trust,” said Dr. Takashi Wada, IEHP Chief Medical Officer. “We’ve seen the impacts of community health firsthand over the last two years. When more residents have access to coordinated care and preventive services, health and wellness improves, and communities thrive. All communities, regardless of immigration status, deserve the opportunity to achieve vibrant health.”  IEHP understands the fears associated with applying for Medi-Cal as an undocumented resident and is making every effort to connect residents to trusted information, resources and support to aid in making the best decision for them. These efforts include community events, partnerships with legal organizations like TODEC and more.  “IEHP is eager to do all we can to support these older adults so that they may receive the care and benefits they need to live fruitful lives as residents of the Inland Empire,” said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer. For more information and to enroll into Medi-Cal, residents can call IEHP’s Enrollment Advisors at 1-866-294-4347 (1-800-720-4347 TTY) or visit iehp.org.

tients in Barstow to primary care physicians, needed social services, and more.  "Through our collaboration with Barstow Community Hospital, we realized that there was an additional benefit to our members through post-discharge calls from IEHP’s Health Services and Community Health teams." said Sylvia Lozano, IEHP's Vice President of Hospital Relations. "A follow-up telephone call upon discharge is an essential activity to improve the transition from hospitalization to their return home," said Lozano. "This partnership with Barstow Community Hospital shows IEHP's unwavering commitment to our Members and Providers and demonstrates how the power of collaboration and dreaming of better ways to deliver care and services can ultimately lead to optimal care and vibrant health for our communities." IEHP Health Navigators provide referrals to other health plan services based on needs expressed during the calls, including organizing doctor’s appointments for members.  The pilot program also connects both hospital and health plan teams for weekly huddles to share insights, data trends, and discuss additional points of partnership to meet the needs of both organizations and the populations they serve.  "Our post-discharge call from trained hospital staff allows the patient's questions and misunderstandings, including discrepancies in the discharge plan, to be identified and addressed, as well as any concerns from caregivers or family members,” Margaret Ventura, Case Management Director for Barstow Community Hospital. "Additional follow-up calls post-discharge from IEHP to their members will only further benefit their members by improving the continuum of care for patients," added Ventura. Since the pilot program began in early October, more than 30 IEHP Members have been supported. While Member needs vary, IEHP's Health Navigators have reported cases where the need for resources and social support has been critical. "This pilot began with a compassionate team who saw an unmet need and found an innovative way to solve it," said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer. "We are developing this pilot to further demonstrate our commitment to the optimal care and vibrant health of our communities."   

ional ranking for provider satisfaction. Administered in July 2022 to the health plan’s provider network by mail and email through a third party vendor, the annual survey measures provider satisfaction with the services and support received directly from IEHP. The survey included responses from the health plan’s primary care physicians, specialists and behavioral health providers. The survey focused on key drivers of provider satisfaction, including: overall satisfaction with IEHP’s call center service, access to knowledgeable staff, and procedures for obtaining pre-certification/referral/authorization information. “Every response we receive from our providers directly impacts our collaborative and continued work forward,” said Susie White, IEHP’s chief operating officer. “We truly value our providers’ feedback as it help us identify areas to better serve and improve, so they can offer the best care possible with the confidence and support they need.” Consistent with 2021’s survey results, 98.2% of providers shared they would recommend IEHP to other physician practices. Broken down by category, IEHP ranked within the 99th percentile for pharmacy and call center support and saw great improvements in the telehealth category of the survey. In addition to outlining improvements, the survey also highlighted new opportunities for growth. “Like our providers, we never want to stay stagnant in our service quality,” said White. “Together, we’ve identified new areas to focus on, like provider relations and timely access to support, and look forward to implementing new processes, strategies and touchpoints to meet providers where they are.”

ted town of Trona, California, is gearing up for much more than the holidays this year, making way for a healthier future.  With community partners and a team of volunteers, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) met Trona residents in the heart of their community to provide fresh produce, dental services, vaccines and other health resources at a Winter Wonderland event on Dec. 14.  This is not the first, second or even third time IEHP has visited Trona – and it definitely won’t be the last, IEHP’s Senior Community Health Director Cesar Armendariz shared.    Even before officially expanding its coverage to rural areas in January 2022, the health plan has worked closely with Trona residents. In fact, IEHP started regular feedback sessions in 2021 to listen and learn more about the area’s overall needs and care gaps.  Through these engagements, IEHP helped establish bi-weekly fresh produce distributions in the area. Next up: connecting Trona residents to telehealth services and regular wellness programing.  “As the leading health plan serving the Inland Empire, our goal is to help establish access to much needed resources and empower residents to advocate for their own health and well-being,” said Armendariz. “We do that by making connections between providers and communities and helping to create affinity between the two.”  One of these new collaborations to support the Trona community is with Omni Family Health, which will provide residents with telehealth services and pharmacy needs.   “In addition to providing services, vaccines and groceries at our Winter Wonderland event, we really wanted to take the time and teach the community how they can use their IEHP benefits to receive care from partners like Omni Family Health,” said LuAnna Jauregui, IEHP community partnerships manager.   “Health is personal and being physically present to teach, share and guide the development of sustainable wellness in Trona is incredibly important to IEHP and the future of our care system,” added Jauregui.   “To me, IEHP means stability,” said Rene, a Trona Resident and Senior Center volunteer.  “It [IEHP] makes my foundation stronger. It helps me offer things to people that they’ve never heard they could apply for or even come and get. So as far as IEHP goes for me, it brings my stance, my foundation, my feet together in a really strong, thankful way,” added Rene.  To learn more about IEHP, visit iehp.org.  

xperiencing loneliness, anxiety or depression. The partnership connects 70,000 Members to support services for mental health screenings.   The program began in March and will run through the fall of 2022. Members who elected to participate were invited to download the Pyx App on their smart phones or tablets, which immediately connects to Pyx-ir, an interactive robot. Pyx-ir will regularly converse, ask wellness questions and connect Members to IEHP services and call centers, depending on need. The program’s services rolled out to English and Spanish speaking Members who receive both Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits (Cal MediConnect Members), as well as Medi-Cal Members who are seniors with a disability or have been identified as unable to leave their homes and are at a greater risk for loneliness.   “Isolation and stay-at-home orders have tremendously impacted these populations in the last two years,” said Anna Edwards, IEHP’s Care Management Clinical Director. “Our partnership with Pyx Health will extend care beyond the health plan’s usual business hours and truly meet the Members where they are.” For continuity of care, Pyx Health will provide the health plan with comprehensive reports based on Member screenings to connect Members with additional resources at the plan level. If needed, Members will also have the option to connect with Pyx Health’s Compassionate Call Center representatives who will be able to route information and reports to IEHP’s Care Management Team.  “In addition to usual health plan services, we believe our partnership with Pyx Health will provide Members a unique aspect of personalized care,” said Dr. Takashi Wada, IEHP’s Chief Medical Officer. “We’re eager to learn how this pilot program and type of service can engage Members in their own health and how it will positively impact their overall wellness.”   

helping to enhance access to testing in the region. Distributions were organized through the health plan’s Community Resource Centers in Riverside, San Bernardino and Victorville. In addition to the state’s on-going effort to provide tests to Medi-Cal Members through Medi-Cal enrolled pharmacies, IEHP was eager to provide additional testing access by purchasing and distributing tests directly to their Membership. Members received two test kits per family, which includes a total of four antigen tests. Earlier this year, at the height of the Omicron variant’s surge, rapid COVID-19 testing opportunities were in high demand while the supply was very limited.  “Access to testing is essential to community health,” said Dr. Gabriel Uribe, IEHP’s Community Health Director. “Having access to COVID-19 testing reduces transmission in our region by helping residents make informed decisions about their health. Knowing whether or not you are positive for COVID-19 can make all the difference in the lives of your friends and family.” Tests distributed by the health plan are not PCR tests and are not acceptable for travel or events, but can be used for quick results. While only IEHP Members were eligible to receive COVID-19 tests through the health plan, Non-Members are encouraged to visit Riverside or San Bernardino County’s websites for test kit distribution locations.   IEHP is also reminding Members that in-home COVID-19 test kits purchased between 3/11/21 and 1/31/22 can be reimbursed with a receipt using the DHCS claims process. “Providing our Members access to quality tests, care and support remains our largest priority,” said Dr. Takashi Wada, IEHP’s Chief Medical Officer. “As a community-based health plan, we are actively looking for new and innovative ways to fulfill our mission to heal and inspire spirit and will continue to do so, even in the face of this uncertain pandemic.”   Upcoming distributions are scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 at all IEHP Community Resource Centers from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Visit IEHP’s Facebook page for details.  

irtual tour video of the health plan’s Victorville Community Resource Center.  “Everyone who walks through our door is family,” said Delia Orosco, IEHP’s Victorville Community Resource Center manager. “Regardless if you’re an IEHP Member or not, your care and your health matter to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you into our centers soon!” With locations also in Riverside and San Bernardino, Calif., the virtual tour highlights some of the centers’ most popular offerings, including free fitness classes, cooking demonstrations and computer labs.  “The centers conduct education classes on a variety of health and wellness topics,” shared Carmen Ramirez, IEHP’s Community Behavioral Health and Social Supports manager, as she further explained the range of free course topics, from nutrition, diabetes control, managing asthma and stress to general benefit information for Members.  The tour also features an in-depth look at cooking demonstrations and a peek into the computer labs, which can be used for job searches, various educational courses and to further access to no-cost resources like legal support and housing.  “There are people here who will help with resumes, job searches, interviews and placement. And the best part is, it won’t cost anything,” said IEHP’s Health Educator Allita Watkins.  For locations, class schedules and more information about IEHP’s Community Resource Center, visit iehp.org.