Changes to primary care hours - New services added

Beginning Monday, November 2, 2009, a number of service changes will go into effect across the Central Valley Area, providing our members with greater access to our services.

The changes largely focus on new adult primary care (APC) and pediatric hours of operation, but also affect some specialty and ancillary departments. In addition, more APC and pediatrics appointments are being made available during the daytime hours - when members want them most - and a new service will allow members to have an appointment with a physician over the telephone, saving them an office visit and co-payment.

Members can book these “Telephone Appointment Visits” (TAVs) through the Appointment and Advice Call Centers, and speak to a doctor from the comfort and convenience of their own home. The doctors will have access to the patient’s medical record, and can assess the patient’s symptoms and even prescribe medications, when appropriate. If the member needs to be seen in person, the TAV physician can directly book the next available appointment at one of our facilities.

“We regularly review our utilization data and make changes in order to provide the best possible access for our members,” said Corwin Harper, Sr. Vice President and Area Manager. “Beginning November 2, members in the CVA will have more ways than ever before to access our physicians and services.”

According to Moses Elam, MD, Physician-in-Chief in the CVA, while the focus is on providing the best care and access to our members, realigning our services also allows us to make the best use of our resources.

“It makes perfect sense to offer our members the right care, in the right place and at the right time,” said Dr. Elam. “That’s why we’ve added more appointments during the day, and reduced hours of clinics that are not being heavily utilized. It’s a very responsible use of our resources.”

A full list of the changes taking effect on November 2 appears below.

* Physician-directed appointments are available in Modesto and Stockton weekdays between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.NOTE: if a department is not listed above, the hours of operation remain the same.