Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization Receives State Approval

July 31, 2012 -- The application of Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization to be a Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) has been approved by the Oregon Health Authority. Under terms of the agreement, Columbia Pacific will begin coordinating services to Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members effective September 1, 2012, in Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook counties and part of Douglas County.

As part of Oregon’s health transformation effort, CCOs are designed to bring together under one umbrella the providers, hospitals, health plans and social agencies that historically operated separately, with the objective of improving patients’ experience and health outcomes while reducing costs.

Columbia Pacific CCO is a collaborative of CareOregon, Greater Oregon Behavioral Health Inc. (GOHBI), and community leaders throughout the areas it serves.

“By integrating medical care, behavioral health and eventually dental care, CCOs will meet the needs of the whole person, rather than treating mind separately from body and separating primary health needs from specialty and hospital care,” said GOHBI CEO Kevin Campbell.

“It’s a first-class decision and a first-class direction to go to provide and coordinate mental and physical health together,” said Debra Birkby, Clatsop County Commissioner. “I’m really excited, and looking forward to some changes, especially in the way we provide mental health care.”

“Our goal is to put members at the center of their care, so that they receive the help they need when and where they need it,” Campbell said. “We will place emphasis on preventive care and will give additional support to members with chronic illnesses to help them reduce their need for emergency room visits and hospital stays.”

Columbia Pacific’s governance board and community advisory council will help establish a member-centered plan that can improve patient experiences and health outcomes, and use limited health funds wisely to ensure the right care at the right time.

“CCOs give communities an unprecedented opportunity to have ownership in the transformation of health care,” Campbell said. "With formation of the Columbia Pacific CCO, we have achieved our goal of making the CCO local enough to be relevant while still large enough to maintain solvency so we can continue to provide excellent health care services into the future."