Navigators Connect People with Complex Needs to Care Beyond the Doctor's Office

Contra Costa Health prioritizes prevention and whole-person care by addressing the health and social needs of patients.

Contra Costa Health leads the county in ensuring access to care for those most in need. One-in-five people in the county is covered by Contra Costa Health Plan; almost all members are on Medi-Cal and 66% are people of color. The Health Plan offers a more equitable, coordinated and person-centered approach to maximize people’s health and life trajectory with the State’s transformation of the Medi-Cal system.

One such new benefit is connecting patients with complex needs who are facing difficult life and health circumstances directly with a community healthcare worker. These navigators coordinate care and health-related services for over 8,000 patients with the highest need, making it easier for them to get the right care at the right time. Community health workers also help people avoid unnecessary care, disease complications or costly emergency department visits by encouraging early detection of disease through health education about appropriate screening and promoting effective, timely management of chronic conditions.

The Health Plan coordinated equitable access to services that address physical, behavioral, developmental, dental, long-term care and social needs.

Read more about the drive to care for patients beyond hospitals and clinics in “Effect of Social Needs Case Management on Hospital Use Among Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries: A Randomized Study” in the Annals of Internal Medicine online at bit.ly/3WPcbQB.