A New Local Plan Looks to Ease Healthcare Hurdles in Imperial County

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - In a rural region with limited providers and long travel distances, navigating healthcare can be complicated.

Community Advantage Plus is a new local health plan that combines Medicare and Medi-Cal, making it easier for residents to manage appointments, prescriptions, and long-term care with help from local care coordinators.

Lawrence Lewis, CEO of the Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, says the plan is meant to reduce gaps in care when patients need more support.

“So when somebody really needs to be in a long-term care unit for the betterment of their health, we're able to shift that patient from the Medicare benefit to the medical benefit as smooth as anybody can,” Lewis said.

The plan is locally operated and part of a statewide effort to improve access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities.