CenCal Health, the regional health plan for Medi-Cal, recognized the work of local network physicians and healthcare centers through their Primary Care Providers (PCP) Incentive Top Performer awards. The awards acknowledge PCPs across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties who administer high quality healthcare while managing costs. There are four award categories: pediatrics, family practice, internal medicine, and federally-qualified health centers (FQHC). The awards are based on 2017 performance scores with the results announced in 2018.
In pediatrics, Dr. Himat Tank of Santa Maria earned top honors among his pediatrics peer group. Also recognized for their dedication to high quality care in 2017 is Dr. Jeffery Kaplan, whose practice is located in Santa Maria, and the Pediatric Medical Group of Santa Maria. “This community trusts us with their precious children’s lives,” said Dr. Tank. “We consider it a privilege to provide them care and assist their parents in helping them grow into mature adults.”
To ensure that providers like Dr. Tank continue to offer quality services and in turn manage costs, CenCal Health monitors their performance via monthly reports. Within these reports, eight categories are measured: physician/ outpatient expenses, inpatient hospital expenses, pharmacy expenses, emergency room visits, doctor and patient encounters, after hours visits, preventive medicine evaluations, and increased access to care for Medi-Cal members. The data included is not only valuable to the health plan but is considered a key resource for practices looking to improve their quality of care.
Lompoc Valley Medical Center (formally known as Valley Medical Group of Lompoc) was named the top performing family practice within both counties. Buellton Medical Center and Central Coast Medical Group also stood out among their peer set.
Orcutt Walk-In Health Center was named the top Internal Medicine performer within its provider group. Dr. Eric Levy of Santa Maria came in a close second and the Jackson Medical Group located in Goleta, earned its spot as the third top performer.
Community Health Centers (CHC) of the Central Coast’s Del Mar site located in Oceano was named the top FQHC. Representing the center, Dr. Patrick Welch said “at CHC, we are privileged to provide quality healthcare to the community of Oceano and the surrounding areas. As healthcare continues to evolve, we are committed to continuing this level of excellence in order to meet the needs of the community.” Also awarded were Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics’ Isla Vista site, and Santa Barbara County’s Carpinteria Health Care Center.
“Award winning providers are important as they demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care to CenCal Health members,” said Sherri Tarpchinoff Bennett, Provider Services Director for CenCal Health. “These providers embody the CenCal Health mission by raising the bar and setting the tone for a level of excellence. The commitment to excellence in care contributes to healthy members, decreased cost, and increased levels of efficiencies in care. This is a three-way partnership between the provider, the plan and the member.”
About CenCal Health
Serving the community since 1983, CenCal Health provides comprehensive health coverage to nearly 180,000 men, women and children enrolled in Medi-Cal. This regional health plan partners with over 1,500 local physicians and other providers to deliver quality patient care to approximately 1 in 4 residents of Santa Barbara County and 1 in 5 residents of San Luis Obispo County. CenCal Health also collaborates with community-based organizations to address social determinants of health while increasing members’ access to medical care and reducing costs. The oldest Medicaid managed care plan of its kind, CenCal Health is a local public agency that employs close to 250 people at offices in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. For more information, visit cencalhealth.org
Press Contact: Sheri Mobley (805) 845-5627, (213) 509-9816 sheri@seamlesspr.com