New Polling Results Finds Satisfaction in Cal MediConnect Plans

Enrollees in California’s duals demonstration are overall satisfied and confident in their care; opt out population wanted to keep services the same

Last week, new survey data was released examining beneficiaries’ experience in Cal MediConnect health plans, as well as reasons beneficiaries chose to opt out and keep their Medicare the same.

The data show that an overwhelming majority of Cal MediConnect enrollees are satisfied with the choice of doctors they can see and the level of care they receive.  Seventy-seven percent of Cal MediConnect enrollees surveyed are satisfied with their choice of doctors, and felt the same about the way their different health care providers work together to give them the services they need.  Seventy-nine percent of enrollees also felt confident that they can get their questions answered about their health needs.

“We are excited that these initial results show that Californians enrolled in Cal MediConnect see its value and are generally satisfied with their choice of doctors and the quality of services they receive,” said Jennifer Kent, Director of the Department of Health Care Service.  “These Californians have complex needs, and often require multiple providers to stay independent and in their community.  Without Cal MediConnect, they have to navigate two health care systems to access the care and services they need.  These results will help inform our work with the Cal MediConnect plans, providers, stakeholders, and community partners to improve the program and educate eligible beneficiaries.”

The initial survey results also shed light on reasons why Cal MediConnect eligible beneficiaries chose not to join a Cal MediConnect health plan and instead keep their Medicare the same.  Eighty-four percent of these beneficiaries were satisfied with their current health care benefits and did not want to make any changes, and seventy-one percent of beneficiaries who did not join Cal MediConnect did not want to risk losing their doctors.

These data were the result of a partnership between The SCAN Foundation; Department of Health Care Services (DHCS); Field Research Group Corporation; Community Living Policy Center at the University of California (UC), San Francisco; and the UC Berkeley Health Research for Action Center.

The SCAN Foundation commissioned a survey through the Field Research Group Corporation to assess beneficaries’ satisfaction, early experiences, and confidence in getting their needs met with the program.  The Community Living Policy Center at the University of California is also conducting an initiative to better understand enrollee experiences in Cal MediConnect, and how this new integrated care program is changing the delivery system landscape in the state.

The Department of Health Care Services will utilize this information to better understand Cal MediConnect-eligible beneficiaries’ needs and experience with the program.  This will allow the state to continue to work with stakeholders and the Cal MediConnect plans to strengthen the overall program and improve communications with beneficiaries.

To learn more about these two surveys, and read the initial findings, visit: http://www.thescanfoundation.org/evaluating-medicare-medicaid-integration.