COMMUNITY FIRST LAUNCHES STAR KIDS
Community First Health Plans had a strong year in 2016, receiving high marks from its customers and providers.
It successfully launched the STAR Kids program in November, capturing the lead market share in the area — and exceeding budgeted expectations by 18 percent. STAR Kids is a new managed care program in Texas providing Medicaid benefits to children and adults age 20 and younger with disabilities.
To launch STAR Kids, Community First recruited and trained 100 new staff, secured additional office space, arranged for an additional provider network of long-term support services providers and began the process of implementing a new care management system.
Community First was among the highest-rated managed care organizations in the Bexar County service area when it came to providing help to its Medicaid and CHIP customers, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission report card.
Member satisfaction scores for the STAR Medicaid managed care plans increased from the 50th to the 75th percentile nationally. And its provider satisfaction results were significantly above the national average
— with 96 percent of primary care physicians, 94 percent of specialists and 91 percent of behavioral health providers surveyed reporting they were satisfied or very satisfied with Community First.
A new population health management model of care was introduced. The model emphasizes member-focused care, creating a streamlined and efficient approach for members to get information and resources to make the best choices for care.
Financially, Community First did well in 2016, reporting a bottom line of $19.8 million — far exceeding its budgeted bottom line of $4.2 million. And with programs such as its Fall Ahead awards program, which gives competitive grants to San Antonio-area teachers to fund sustainable health-related projects in schools, Community First was a finalist for the inaugural San Antonio Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy and Nonprofit Awards for its work in giving back to the community. In 2016-17, Fall Ahead grants were awarded to Hidden Forest and Five Palms elementary schools, and Nimitz and Barbara Bush middle schools.
In addition, Community First joined with Eva’s Heroes — a San Antonio-based advocacy group co-founded by actor Eva Longoria Bastón and Christiane Perkins-Garcia —as exclusive partner of the “see us, hear us, know us” traveling photo exhibit. That exhibit toured over 55 locations in the San Antonio area, including University Hospital, ending its tour at the Texas State Capitol in Austin to provide awareness of the special needs community.