New Health Navigator program to help IEHP Members better understand how to use health care

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) has developed an innovative program called Health Navigator designed to help IEHP Members better understand how to use their health care.  Launching this month, the program will arrive in select communities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.  It aims to increase preventive-care visits and reduce avoidable emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Based on the promotores program model, IEHP is the first health plan in the nation to have a full-time, in-house team dedicated to helping IEHP Members who find the healthcare system confusing and difficult to use. Enlisting the help of Latino Health Access, a non-profit organization in Santa Ana, CA, Health Navigators received significant training on participatory approaches to community health education.  

The Health Navigators will schedule in-home visits for IEHP Members, providing them valuable education and support. Members will learn the basics of how, when and where to get medical care. Learning how to work with their primary care doctor and office staff is a key component of the program. In addition, Members will know how to identify healthcare resources to help them manage and improve their health.

"We have conducted extensive research, nationally and locally, to develop our Health Navigator program," said Dr. Brad Gilbert, IEHP chief executive officer. "Through the program, we will show our Members one-on-one, how to get care when they need it."

"This program will give us one more channel to reach our Members in their communities and provide them more tools to manage their healthcare," said Susan Arcidiacono, IEHP chief marketing officer. "The Health Navigator program will serve as a link between the Member, IEHP and the Providers, which we hope will ultimately lead to better communication and care."