FAIRFIELD -- Partnership HealthPlan of California said it is undergoing a significant expansion that includes plans to grow its 280-person workforce by as much as 30 percent through 2014, while having created over 60 jobs in 2011.
The Fairfield-based, non-profit managed Medi-Cal provider recently expanded its presence in Marin and Mendocino counties, increasing its enrollment by some 38,000 new members, and the planned hiring is a result of that growth, officials said. The quasi-public health plan administers benefits for some 200,000 total members across six counties, including Sonoma, Solano, Napa and Yolo. It has a 2011-2012 budget of $910 million.
In Sonoma County, the health plan was recently designated by the state as the Community Provider Plan for the Healthy Families program, a significant development that will enable it to offer some 7,000 enrollees in the program lower premiums.
"The Partnership model of increasing access to quality health care for under-served populations is one that the state and our service counties are very excited about," said Jack Horn, CEO of Partnership. "With our stakeholders pushing us to expand our services to new programs and new geographic areas, this kind of growth has been a welcome challenge for us."
Partnership pays physicians a higher reimbursement rate for its Medi-Cal patients than the state, which in turn expands the number of physicians willing to take on Medi-Cal patients, according to the health plan and county health officials.
Partnership HealthPlan also contracts with a number of specialists throughout the Bay Area, who are paid an “enhanced rate” to encourage access.
According to its s 2009-'10 annual report, the health plan increased its net assets by $31.5 million in fiscal 2010, compared with an increase of $17.1 million in fiscal 2009.
Partnership HealthPlan is one of six not-for-profit county-organized health systems operating in the state.
Last year, Partnership purchased the former building on Business Center Drive that will soon be vacated by CoPart, an online vehicle auctioneer that is relocating corporate headquarters to Dallas. Partnership paid $16.5 million for the building and will lease it back to CoPart until December 2012, when it will relocate to accommodate its growth.
Mr. Horn said the health plan may grow further still with the looming implementation of health exchanges mandated by the federal health overhaul, which will enable consumers to compare and shop for affordable health plans. California is expected to participate in the federal program, which in turn could "present further opportunities for growth," Mr. Horn said.
"Our managed care model saves a significant amount of money as the same it improves health care outcomes for our members," Mr. Horn said.
Information on job openings can be found at www.partnershiphp.org
