Jason Lohr, MD

Dr. Jason Lohr understands that access to care makes a huge impact on quality. 

“Our partnership with IEHP means that our patients can get the care they need, when they need it,” said Dr. Lohr, who specializes in Family Medicine and is the CEO of SAC Health System. 

SAC Health System has five sites in both Riverside and San Bernardino counties and sees about 12,000 visits per month – 90 percent of which are covered under IEHP. Specialists are housed under the same roof which results in more efficient referrals, quicker follow-up appointments and limits unnecessary testing. 

Unless, a Member can’t get there at all. 

“We had a patient, a man in his mid-thirties, who was completely blind and living with uncontrolled diabetes. Although we would schedule appointments for him, he had a very high no-show rate,” Dr. Lohr explained.

Further investigation into his case revealed that this IEHP Member had problems with transportation and literacy, coupled with some behavioral health and depression issues. Dr. Lohr knew that his health would not improve unless the other barriers to care were addressed as well. 

“He was at the point where he was basically giving up on his health. It was just too hard,” he said.

That’s when the IEHP Member was referred to the Health Homes program. 

“The Behavioral Health team provided wellness coaching to help him with his depression, a nurse educated him on how to control his sugars and social workers connected him with transportation assistance,” he said. “His diabetes is now controlled for the first time. He’s a great testament to the team’s care. Even he will tell you that the way he feels now is the difference between night and day.”

While Dr. Lohr appreciates IEHP’s innovative programs like Health Homes, he also believes the basic day-to-day responsiveness by IEHP also makes a huge impact on how he and other Providers deliver quality care. 

“When you get answers back in a timely manner, then care doesn’t have to be delayed. That’s important when it comes to keeping the trust of our patients. That makes a difference,” he said.