September 19, 2022
1:30 – 3:00 p.m., Pacific Time

Registration is now closed.

Overview

In the early 1970s, the state began developing a managed care system for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Today, California’s Medi-Cal program is the largest state Medicaid program in the nation and the largest payer for health care services in California. In fact, most of the state’s Medi-Cal population receive care through managed health care plans.

Local health plans are an integral part of California’s health care system, collectively serving more than 7.6 million Medi-Cal managed care beneficiaries statewide. Join us for the webinar to learn about the history and development of local health plans in California’s Medi-Cal managed care program. Expert faculty will discuss:

• How and why the local plan model took shape
• Types and characteristics of local plans
• Role and importance of safety net providers in the development and operation of local health plans
• How local plans are unique
• And more …

Who should attend:
Health plan staff interested in learning about the origin of local health plans and their role in the care delivery system.

Agenda

Overview

• The Medi-Cal program and the statewide significance of local
  health plans
• Roadmap for the webinar

The Story Behind the Local Health Plan Model 

• How and why local health plans came to be
• Types of local plan models, and the similarities and differences across plans
• Statutory authorities for local plans and implications for accountability, structure and operations
• Importance of safety net providers in the development and operation of local plans
• Key accomplishments to date

How California’s Local Plans are Unique 

• How local plans fit in today’s Medi-Cal landscape
• The value of local health plans across California’s most vulnerable communities
• The future of Medi-Cal managed care plans

Challenges & Opportunities for Local Plans — Panel Discussion
Panelists discuss some of the challenges and opportunities health plans face in today’s evolving health care landscape.

Faculty

Linnea Koopmans
Chief Executive Officer
Local Health Plans of California

Linnea brings many years’ experience working on different aspects of the Medi-Cal program and has particular expertise in behavioral health. Immediately prior to coming to LHPC, Linnea was a Senior Policy Analyst for the County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA) where she served as the organization’s expert on California’s Section 1915(b) waiver, Section 1115 waiver programs, and the intersection of criminal justice and mental health. She provided successful advocacy on behalf of CBDHA members on state policy, legislative, and budget issues. Linnea also previously worked on health care reform implementation for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. She started her career working in housing and homelessness in Santa Barbara.

Bobbie Wunsch 
Partner
Pacific Health Consulting Group

Bobbie Wunsch has more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry and specializes in the restructuring and financing of health care delivery organizations, primarily safety net providers. She provides strategic planning services to community clinics, county health and local Medicaid managed care organizations, public hospitals, ambulatory care centers and health care financing organizations. She focuses on a variety of issues, including restructuring through mergers or affiliations, program development, redesigns for improved effectiveness and efficiency, and cooperative business ventures. A leading resource in financing and operating health services for low-income uninsured individuals, Bobbie conducts seminars and has published numerous reports and articles on related topics.

Caroline Davis
President
Davis Health Strategies, LLC

Caroline Davis is a recognized health policy expert with over 25 years of experience in health care financing, policy development and implementation at the federal, state and local levels, with an emphasis on Medicaid, Medicare, and programs for the uninsured. She has extensive experience with California’s health programs for low-income populations, especially the state’s Medicaid (Medi-Cal) program. She is currently the President of Davis Health Strategies, where she works with health care-related organizations focused on improving care for vulnerable and safety-net populations. Previously, Caroline was the Senior Policy Director for the Local Health Plans of California (LHPC). In this role, she provided leadership and strategic direction to identify policy and advocacy positions for California’s 16 locally-based health plans. Other former roles include serving as a Senior Consultant at Health Management Associates (HMA), founder and Senior Operations Manager for the California-based Center to Promote HealthCare Access – now known as Alluma – and as a Program Officer with the California Health Care Foundation.

Registration

This is an LHPC members-only program.

Fees* (per connection)
Members                            $30     
Plan Registration^            $130
*Special registration pricing will be offered while health plan staff work remotely. Standard pricing will resume once staff return to work
on-site.
^ Select this option if plan staff will view the webinar communally on-site. Plans with multiple sites must register each site separately and identify whom at each site should receive the webinar access information upon registering. When registering, please enter unique email addresses for each additional site as the system may not allow duplicate logins.

Registration closes Sept. 14 at 5:00 p.m.

Registration Confirmation: Registrants will receive two emails — a registration confirmation email and a separate email that contains access information for the webinar. 

Participating in the Webinar: You will only need a computer with an updated web browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Safari is recommended). Participants may opt to listen to the webinar via telephone or device. 

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation notification must be submitted in writing to institute@lhpc.org seven or more days prior to the course date. Refunds will not be given after that date. Substitutions are encouraged. Payment will be due for registered individuals that do not attend or participate in the event, and for which a cancellation notice is not received.