U.S. Department of Health & Human Services |
|
Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America |
Font Size Print Download Reader
This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 26, 2001 |
Contact: | HCFA Press Office (202) 690-6145 |
CommunityCARE's physician primary care case managers coordinate health care and increase access to preventive care for approximately 46,000 people enrolled in Medicaid.
"Today's announcement is evidence that the Bush administration is working closely with states to ensure flexibility at the local level to get health care to Medicaid beneficiaries who need it," said Secretary Thompson. "Louisiana's request to continue the program demonstrates that it serves an important role in providing health care to thousands of residents."
The waiver approved by HHS will extend the CommunityCARE program for an additional two-year period. Program enrollees are linked with a physician, clinic, federally qualified health center or rural health clinic that serves as their primary care provider who will provide all Medicaid covered health care services. The primary care provider also monitors the individual's medical condition and health care needs, while coordinating and monitoring delivery of all medical care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are currently about 200 primary care physicians and 22 nurse practitioners in 144 provider sites in the 24 parishes where the program is available. These providers have the capacity to serve more than 176,000 members, well above the nearly 46,000 that are currently enrolled in the program.
###