Expanding access to comfort care – Health Plan of SJ launches pilot program aimed at easing pain, suffering (Stockton Record, page One, Oct. 23, 2017)
FRENCH CAMP — Health Plan of San Joaquin has initiated a pilot program called Palliative Care Options for members diagnosed with one of four critical diseases. Key elements include home visits from nurses and 24-hour access via telephone to a care provider.
It follows an earlier initiative started last year when Health Plan partnered with San Joaquin General Hospital to open the Palliative Care Clinic. Both programs fill a large gap in the care provided for seriously ill low-income patients on Medi-Cal and are funded by grants from the California Health Care Foundation.