Nurses Critical in Multiple Departments at Local Health Plan
CenCal Health is recognizing National Nurses Day by saluting nurses within its own agency, as well as those associated with its network of healthcare providers. CenCal Health is a community-accountable health plan that partners with over 1,500 local physicians, hospitals and other providers in delivering patient care to nearly 180,000 members in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The 33 licensed nurses who work at CenCal Health are responsible for, among other things, the case management of the most medically vulnerable members of the health plan, both children and adults. Nurses are integral to CenCal Health’s operations and work throughout the organization in departments as diverse as Utilization Management, Quality, Case Management, and Provider Services.
“CenCal Health nurses provide whole person case management, helping members with multiple diseases or conditions, as well as psychosocial needs,” said Health Services Director Kelly Adler Schueler, RN, BSN, MHA at CenCal Health. “We connect members with the right care and agencies, serving our most at-risk population. We provide health education for disease prevention and management, coordinating with all health care providers.”
At CenCal Health, nurses specialize in pediatrics, disease management, utilization management and quality improvement. In all of these specialties, nurses are
- Working directly with the patient, or with their parents or caregivers, as well as the assigned physicians and other healthcare providers.
- Supplying education materials for managing specific health conditions like diabetes, asthma.
- Processing authorizations to make sure the members have what they need, whether it’s a specialty appointment or medical equipment.
Last week outside CenCal Health headquarters in Santa Barbara, a large banner went up that read “Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear scrubs. Thank you to our doctors, nurses & healthcare workers.” Though the agency initially installed the signage to show support for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 health crisis, CenCal Health wants the public to know that the message remains in effect all year around, and whether the community is experiencing a pandemic or not.
“We want to thank our wonderful team of nurses, who are dedicated and caring professionals, working to provide our adult and pediatric members with excellent service and healthcare advice.” said Dr. Karen Hord, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, CenCal Health. “We appreciate all nurses every day, and send heartfelt thanks to each one as we celebrate Nurses Week.”
CenCal Health is a community-accountable health plan that partners with over 1,500 local physicians, hospitals and other providers in delivering patient care to more than 175,000 members – about one in four residents of Santa Barbara County and one in five residents of San Luis Obispo County. A public agency, the health plan contributes approximately $50 million a month into the local economy, primarily through payments to healthcare providers who serve its membership. Established in 1983, it is the oldest managed care Medicaid plan of its kind in the nation. cencalhealth.org
CenCal Health Contact: Nicolette Worley Marselian (805) 685-9525 ext.1993 – nworleymarselian@cencalhealth.org
Media Contact: Sheri Mobley (805) 845-5627, (213) 509-981 – sheri@seamlesspr.com