PopHealth Podcast

From the highlights and challenges in 2023 to what to expect in 2024 and beyond, Gavin discusses CalAIM with guests Michel Huizar, Branch Chief, DHCS Managed Care Quality and Monitoring Division, and Dora Barilla, Co-Founder, HC² Strategies.

Michael's history with health plans and advocacy played a key role in his recruitment to lead C4A, an organization established to advocate and collaborate on behalf of California's "Triple As." Michael shares how his organization supports older adults throughout the state and what their focus is in 2024 and ahead.

Under the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, Elizabeth shares how the newly created Officer of Healthcare Affordability is helping the most populous state to manage healthcare costs through growth targets and other efforts for 40M Californians.

Over 15M Californians are Medi-Cal beneficiaries, yet there are so many misceptions about Medi-Cal and very few Californians truly understand Medi-Cal eligibility. Lisa shares how she went from an entry level Medi-Cal worker to an expert, where she now leads a team that helps families navigate Medi-Cal, including asset and income limits, or lack thereof.

Beau shares how an initial stint as a temporary worker landed him a role with California's In-Home Supportive Sevices that became a springboard into his career as he ultimately become well versed in California's long term supports (LTSS) and services as well as home and community based services (HCBS). That foundation has helpd Beau become one of Anthem and California's leaders for the California...

L.A. CARE is one of the largest health plans in CA, serving millions in L.A. County, primarily Medi-Cal beneficiaries. L.A. CARE CMO Dr. Sameer Amin joins host Gavin Ward to share some of the highlights of his first year and what we can expect in 2024 with the state's largest Medi-Cal managed care organization.

Charles joins the show and shares about the latest CAHP initiatives and what to expect at the annual 2023 conference where over 1,000 leaders from DHCS, Health Plans, and providers gather in the desert.

WellSpace Health has been serving the Greater Sacramento area for many decades, and the CalAIM initiative is only going to increase its impact. Wellspace leaders Christie Gonzales and Cordia Losh join the show to share about the impact WellSpace has had in the community and what's to come through the CalAIM initaitive, enhanced care management, and more.

Susan Phillip joins the show to discuss the process and results of DHCS' procurement and results for the 2024 managed care plan contracts. Susan, who serves as DHCS' Deputy Director, Health Care Delivery Systems, shares how she came into the role and what we can expect heading into 2024 and beyond.

Leza joined the show and shares how her passion for older adults has led to her work wtih CCOAin the Golden State. CCOA's latest initiatives include efforts to ensure the aging population has access to legislative meetings as well as a recognized voice and influence into lawmaking.

Health Net's VP of Communications and Marketing joined the show to share how the end of the pandemic and Public Health Emergency (PHE) is making the annual Medi-Cal redetermination of eligibility unlike recent years before as Californians were automatically renewed during the PHE. The state, Health Net, and other Medi-Cal plans are making significant outreach attempts to ensure Medi-Cal beneficiar...

Dan discusses his journey as the son of immigrant parents that inspired Dan to make a difference in Kern County where he's spent his entire life. From ICU nurse to leading enhanced care management efforts of the 20th largest county in the US, Dan's shares how he's played a role in saving lives both literally and figuratively as he now helps lead enhanced care management efforts in Bakersfield and...

So many Californians provide care to their loved ones and often don't know where to turn for help and support. Michelle shares how her own journey as a caregiver led to her receiving support from Valley CRC. Now as the Executive Director, Michelle shed lights on how caregiver resource centers throughout the state like hers in the Central Valley region can be a great resource for caregivers.

Dr. Wada returns to PopHealth Podcast to share some of the initial results of IEHP's California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) efforts as well as what's to come next for IEHP, including how the end of the Covid-19 related Public Health Emergency (PHE) may have a significant impact on eligibility for the Medi-Cal population.

Jon joins the show to give some insight into what the American College of Healthcare Executives is all about and how it has helped shape him into the leader he is today as VP, Ancillary Services, at MLK Community Healthcare. We also learn how Jon just welcomed his 4th child and his unexpected connection with party buses.

America's Physican Groups' New President and CEO Susan Dentzer joins the podcast to share about her first 9 months in the role as well as what's to come in 2023, including ACO Reach and direct contracting, for the organization that is "taking responsibiity for America's health."

Lisa joins the show and shares how she's grown into a policy expert during the 2000s and how Transform Health got its start in Sacramento. Lisa typically is the facilitator of meetings and discussions, but it's great to have her "on the other side" to hear her story as well as she and Transform Health are literally transofrming healthcare in California and througout the country, including a focus...

CCHP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dennis Hsieh discusses the inspiration behind his passion for his leadership role at Contra Costa Health Plan, the county operated health system serving the East Bay. We learn of his shared passion for soccer with host Gavin Ward, but more importantly how his time as a young man serving in Chinatown was an inspiration for him to be a leader that seeks quality care de...

California Association of Health Plans' (CAHP) Charles Bacchi joins the show to give some background on the work of CAHP, including some of its memorable moments in his nearly 2 decades with CAHP.  Charles also shares about his cowboy background and CAHP's upcoming annual conference in October with some of California's biggest names in healthcare.

California Department of Health Care Services' Chief of the Benefits Division Lisa Murawski joined host Gavin Ward to provide details on the new Community Health Worker (CHW) benefit that has been years in the making.  The new benefit delivery doesn't require someone with a clinical background to make a big impact in the healthcare community, and will likely be a new career pathway for individuals...

Dora joins the show and shares how a combination of blessings, hard work as a healthcare leader (and mom), as well as a miracle have paved the way to today, where Dora and HC2 Strategies are leading large scale CalAIM collaborations between health plans, providers, and the community.

Dr. Schultz shares how his work serving individuals goes beyond just the Inland Empire and San Diego, but also to the Himalayas. He also shares how Federally Qualified Health Centers like Neighborhood Healthcare provide services for individuals that may otherwise struggle to access primary and other medical care.

California Department of Health Care Services' Anastasia Dodson helps give an overview of the "dual eligible" population in California and how upcoming changes will impact the delivery of care for Californians who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal (Mediciad in California), now called Medicare Medi-Cal Plans (MMPs or Medi-Medi plans), for Exclusively Aligned Enrollment Dual Eligible Special Needs Pla...

Martha, a Medi-Cal beneficiary as a child in Ventura County, shares how her journey in the managed Medi-Cal world has ultimately led her to help lead a team that manages the care of millions of lives in California, including many that receive care in rural areas.

Yingjia, who serves in the role of Assistant Deputy Director, Health Care Benefits and Eligibility for California's Department of Health Care Services, joins the show to share how the significant eligibility adjustments shown during the pandemic (ie public health emergency) will be unwound and what that means to some of the millions of Californians on Medi-Cal.