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New Coordinated Care Organizations Moving Forward in Hood River, Wasco and Yamhill counties

Majority of Oregon Health Plan clients will have access to more coordinated, patient-focused care
August 29, 2012

August 29, 2012 -- Two new coordinated care organizations have been provisionally certified to serve Oregon Health Plan clients, officials announced today.

Pending final approval later this month, the new CCOs will begin operation on November 1, 2012. PacificSource Community Solutions Coordinated Care Organization – Columbia Gorge Region will serve OHP clients in Hood River and Wasco counties. Yamhill County Care Organization will serve local clients there.

In total, 13 CCOs have received final approval to serve OHP clients and three have been provisionally certified. The majority of OHP clients in the state will be served through a local coordinated care organization.

“Oregon has truly come together with a renewed commitment to patient-centered care and lower costs,” said Governor John Kitzhaber. “I want to commend everyone who has worked so hard this year to launch coordinated care organizations. Your efforts will benefit your patients, your community and our state.”

Under the CCO model, for the first time care for OHP clients is jointly managed for physical and mental health to be better able to coordinate care and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. The model also emphasizes using community-based health workers to help patients with chronic illnesses stay healthier and reduce costs.

OHP clients who are going to be enrolled in a new CCO in
their community will receive personal notification with the name of the new coordinated care organization.

As the new coordinated care organizations prepare to begin serving clients, a committee of Oregonians is working to identify objective quality measures for all CCOs on outcomes such as ambulatory care, inpatient care, chemical dependency and mental health treatment, and all other health services provided by coordinated care organizations.

“The best path to lowering health care costs is through improved health,” said Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director of the Oregon Health Authority. “With the final CCOs approved this year the pieces are in place for a system that works for all of us in bringing better health, better care and lower costs.”

More information about CCOs can be found at health.oregon.gov.

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