Community Health Organization - Selected 3/19/98

A non-profit corporation whose purpose is the development of an integrated provider network with the capability of arranging for the provision of high quality, cost effective health services that can successfully operate in a managed care marketplace.

1. Coordination and management of patient care services toward enhanced; quality, reduction in duplication of resources, increased efficiencies and decreased costs to consumers - LVCHO is responsible for contracting for medical management services for the managed care contracts that it holds.
2. Share substantial financial risk in order to achieve cost containment goals - LVCHO as the exclusive bargaining and contracting agent for all managed care contracts, holds the Federal Bureau of Prison Contract and the Cigna commercial managed care contract for the local provider network.
3. Implementation of a community pathway model for dealing with the issue of substance abuse - LVCHO received a Santa Barbara County Substance Abuse Prevention grant to coordinate substance abuse services in the Lompoc Community with CBOs in the business of substance abuse prevention and treatment.
4. Linking and networking provider information systems - LVCHO will participate as a Beta Test site for a Telehealth System in Santa Barbara County funded by the California Healthcare Foundation.

Lompoc Valley Community Health Organization, (LVCHO) (New LVCHO received its 501(c)(3) status on 2/26/99).

Initially, only provider council members sat as voting members of the LVCHO governing board with equal hospital and physician representation. The representation of members to the Board is currently being reevaluated and it is anticipated that 1 to 2 seats will become available to members of the Lompoc Valley Community Health Council.

Remaining non-provider council members sit on other standing committees to the governing board such as; finance, marketing; and prevention.

The Lompoc Valley CHC has been subsumed as a standing advisory committee to the LVCHO governing board.

Council voted to accept bylaws for the LVCHO on 5/20/98 and formally incorporated in July of 1998. There is an eight member Board of Directors, 50% representing the district hospital and community and 50% representing the physician network.

Hospital, local physicians working in Lompoc, county primary care clinics, some alternative therapy, behavioral and social service providers

Phase III

Feasibility analysis started 8/98. The third and final draft was completed in October of 1999.

Business planning was completed in 11/99.

Lompoc received its DRIS milestone implementation grant for $200,000 on 1/20/00.

Pre-operational planning started 12/98 and is continuing.

Phase III Implementation: - Began officially January 1, 2000, however contract negotiations with payors and network providers and development of medical management services will continue through 12/31/00.

© CIRHM