State Continues To Block Ventura County Medi-Cal Partnership With AmericasHealth Plan
A California Department of Health Care Services deputy director has confirmed that the agency will continue to block a contractual partnership under which Gold Coast Health Plan, the Medi-Cal managed care system for Ventura County, would pay AmericasHealth, an HMO, an unspecified flat rate to handle Medi-Cal services and tasks for some county patients. DHCS originally blocked the arrangement in November 2012, citing Gold Coast's financial difficulties. Gold Coast leaders say they have overcome most financial hurdles -- netting $1.4 million in May -- but the department said, "Gold Coast doesn't have the resources to devote to [the partnership] right now."
- "State Continues To Block HMO From Ventura County Medi-Cal Partnership" (Kisken, Ventura County Star, 7/28).