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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Partnership HealthPlan of California has been awarded Health Equity Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, or NCQA.
“This accomplishment reflects the dedication of our teams and our mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said CEO Sonja Bjork following the announcement last month.
The NCQA Health Equity Accreditation is a nationally recognized designation that evaluates an organization’s ability to: create a culture of equity; collect and analyze data to identify disparities; and work with providers and community partners to reduce them.
Partnership began its preparation for accreditation in January 2023, conducting a gap analysis and implementing systemwide improvements to meet NCQA’s rigorous, evidence-based standards.
The accreditation also meets a key California Department of Health Care Services requirement that all managed care plans obtain Health Equity Accreditation by Jan. 1, 2026.
Partnership’s Director of Health Equity Dr. Mohamed Jalloh said, “This designation means that we have the systems, culture and partnerships in place to identify and address health inequities, ensuring that every member has access to the care they need. It’s also inspiring to join other local health plans that have achieved this accreditation, demonstrating a unified dedication to serving Californians.”
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance.
Partnership is a community-based, safety-net health care organization that contracts with the state to administer Medi-Cal benefits. Partnership provides quality care to over 900,000 Medi-Cal members. Starting in Solano County in 1994, Partnership now serves 24 Northern California counties — Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba.
Learn more about Partnership at PartnershipHP.org.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Due to recent rule changes made by the federal government, Covered California enrollees who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program will have their Affordable Care Act health insurance terminated on Aug. 31, 2025.
The federal rule will affect more than 2,300 DACA recipients in California.
The decision comes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that oversees Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
In its updated Marketplace Integrity Rule published in June, CMS changed the definition of “lawfully present” to exclude DACA recipients. Covered California is required to comply with this new rule.
“Covered California is deeply disheartened by the updated rule issued by this federal administration, which targets DACA recipients who are working to provide for their families and secure access to essential health insurance,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “The decision is deeply unfair to hard-working, tax-paying individuals in California who trusted that they would have health insurance for 2025, only to have it stripped away eight months later. While we had hoped for a different outcome for DACA recipients, we must comply with federal law. In anticipation of this rule change going into effect, Covered California is doing everything we can to support DACA recipients with information and resources to understand what is happening and find other health insurance options.”
Covered California is working to contact every individual affected by this federal decision through letters, emails and calls and will continue to be a resource for people to find health insurance outside the marketplace.
Covered California encourages all DACA recipients to explore health insurance options and stay covered to protect against financial hardship in the event of an emergency.
Options for coverage may include:
• See if you qualify for Medi-Cal by visiting CoveredCA.com or contacting your local county social services office or county Medi-Cal office.
• Purchase a plan directly through a health insurance company.
• Contact your employer to see if there is an employer-based insurance option available.
Enrollees with questions or concerns about their enrollment status should contact Covered California for help. They can also contact legal aid or consumer assistance programs if they need help understanding their rights or addressing coverage concerns.
Additionally, the California Department of Social Services’ Immigration Services Bureau keeps a list of qualified nonprofit organizations to provide services to immigrants who reside in California. For more resources and information, please visit the Immigration and California families webpage.
Covered California contact information:
• Call Center (Spanish): (800) 300-0213.
• Call Center (English): (800) 300-1506.
As an organization, Covered California said it will continue to support policies that help everyone access the health care they need and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
They have also developed information in English and Spanish to help people navigate the ongoing changes.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Troy Balderson (OH-12) announced the introduction of the bipartisan and bicameral CONNECT for Health Act, legislation that would expand telehealth access for millions of Americans on Medicare.
“Since my days in the California State Senate, I’ve been a big believer in telehealth’s ability to save money, time, and lives,” said Rep. Thompson. “Telehealth allows patients — especially those with low mobility or who otherwise can’t make it to the doctor’s office — to access the care they need when they need it. The CONNECT for Health Act will provide Americans on Medicare with the peace of mind that telehealth will be covered by their benefits. Proud to join Representatives Matsui, Schweikert, and Balderson to introduce this bill.”
“Digital health isn’t just a convenience, it’s a modern necessity. It’s how we make care more accessible, especially for rural and underserved communities, without blowing up the budget,” said Congressman Schweikert. “By permanently removing outdated restrictions, the CONNECT for Health Act helps Medicare keep pace with the real world. This is about using technology to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and meet patients where they are.”
“Telehealth is a proven tool to meet patients where they are and increase access to quality care throughout our communities," said Congresswoman Matsui. "The expansion of telehealth services has been crucial to reaching our most vulnerable patients, older Americans, and the traditionally underserved. The CONNECT for Health Act permanently removes barriers to this critical resource and keeps it accessible for Medicare beneficiaries for years to come."
“Telehealth has become a core component for how we deliver high-quality care, especially in rural and underserved communities,” said Rep. Balderson. “The CONNECT for Health Act ensures Medicare keeps pace with modern medicine by removing outdated restrictions, expanding who can provide telehealth, and giving patients the flexibility to receive care from home. This legislation would be a big win for providers in rural Ohio, like our Federally Qualified Health Centers, who are the front line of care in many of the communities I represent.”
“Permanently extending telehealth coverage will benefit patients and physicians far and wide, ushering in a new era of patient care. Medicare coverage of telehealth offers better access to health care not just for rural and other underserved communities; it also reduces travel time and serves as a vital tool for patients to receive seamless care with their existing physicians. We deeply appreciate Representatives Thompson, Schweikert, Balderson, and Matsui for their leadership,” said American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D.
The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 would permanently expand access to telehealth services—ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries can continue to receive essential care.
Telehealth utilization surged in 2020 when CMS waived many statutory restrictions on telehealth to ensure continued access to health care during the public health emergency.
Recent reports find that older adults and individuals from underserved communities benefited the most from expanded telehealth access.
Since 2021, Medicare beneficiaries’ telehealth utilization has stabilized at 15 percent, while overall health care use is level, indicating that telehealth often substitutes in-person care.
With telehealth flexibilities set to expire in September 2025, beneficiaries will lose access to care due to statutory restrictions, including requirements that only permit beneficiaries to receive telehealth services if they are in rural areas and at certain clinical sites.
Permanent changes to Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services are critical in order to protect access to care and fully integrate telehealth into care delivery.
The full bill text can be found here.
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
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- Written by: Partnership HealthPlan
The Association for Community Affiliated Plans, or ACAP, has honored Dr. Colleen Townsend of Partnership HealthPlan of California with the organization’s Making a Difference Award.
The Making a Difference Award recognizes an employee of a member plan who goes above and beyond their job’s responsibilities to improve and fulfill needs in their communities and support underserved community members.
Dr. Townsend, regional medical director for Partnership HealthPlan of California, was recognized for her track record of dedication toward improving health care access for low-income communities.
Her efforts were highlighted at the 2024 Shuttering of Maternity Care Centers in Northern California Conference, where she addressed the issue of maternity care center closures and brought experts together to discuss potential solutions.
Her achievements also include spearheading efforts at Partnership HealthPlan of California to introduce doula services as a covered benefit for Medi-Cal members in 2023. Understanding the importance of education for both members and providers, she established a network of doulas and created training programs for provider offices.
“Dr. Townsend’s leadership and passion for improving health care access have truly made a difference in the lives of people we serve,” said Partnership HealthPlan of California CEO Sonja Bjork. “Her work in addressing maternity care shortages, expanding vital services, and advocating for those who need it most speaks to her commitment to our mission. I am proud to work alongside someone whose dedication and impact are so far-reaching.”
“Dr. Townsend’s work exemplifies the spirit of the ACAP Making a Difference Award, and we are thrilled to celebrate her contributions,” said Enrique Martinez-Vidal, ACAP’s vice president for quality and operations. “Tackling health care access barriers, especially in maternal health, aligns with ACAP’s core mission. Her dedication to improving care for underserved communities makes her a deserving recipient of this award.”
Outside of her role at Partnership HealthPlan of California, Dr. Townsend serves as the board vice chair for Operation Access, a Northern California organization connecting underserved patients with volunteer medical professionals. She is also actively involved in the Napa Opioid Safety Coalition, which unites health care, law enforcement, and community organizations to combat opioid misuse.
ACAP represents 85 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 30 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
Partnership HealthPlan of California is a community-based, safety-net health care organization that contracts with the state of California to administer Medi-Cal benefits. Partnership provides quality care to over 900,000 Medi-Cal members. Starting in Solano County in 1994, Partnership now serves 24 Northern California counties – Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba. Learn more about Partnership at PartnershipHP.org.
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