IEHP Increases The Network Enhancement Fund for New Providers to $16 Million

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Jan. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), with the approval of its Governing Board, added $5 million additional dollars to its Network Enhancement Fund (NEF) to bring new providers to practice in the Inland Empire (IE) to help improve access to care for more than 1.12 million IEHP Members. The program, started in late 2014, continues to add new providers to the Inland Empire.

With a budget of $16 million, the NEF program will fund 130 new providers:

    --  Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) - 50% of one-year cost up to $100,000 and
        $25,000 sign-on bonus
    --  Specialist Physicians (SPs) - 50% of one-year cost up to $150,000 and
        $25,000 sign-on bonus
    --  Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) - 50% of
        one-year cost up to $75,000
    --  Rural or other hard-to-contract areas or specialties - $50,000 sign-on
        bonus

"The Inland Empire has one of the lowest ratios of PCPs and Specialty Physicians per 100,000 people in California," said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bradley Gilbert. "But with our innovative program the NEF, the first program of its kind in California, IEHP can meaningfully address this shortage."

The NEF program is already successful, adding 80 newly hired providers for the Inland Empire, including 34 PCPs, 32 SPs and 14 mid-level providers (PAs and NPs). This will significantly improve access to care for IEHP Members.

In an effort to bring even more providers to the Inland Empire, IEHP has contracted two physician recruiting firms to work directly with the groups and entities approved for NEF funding.

"IEHP constantly seeks to add to our network of more than 4,000 providers," said Kurt Hubler, IEHP Chief Network Officer "And with innovative programs like NEF and our other recruitment efforts, IEHP will continue to expand our network capacity to help care for our members."

The NEF program also provides additional funding if IEHP recruits beyond the current program goal of 130 providers, "an amazing milestone," noted Mr. Hubler "that would only help us further improve access to care for IEHP members."

About IEHP

IEHP, Inland Empire Health Plan, a Knox-Keene licensed health plan located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, is a not-for-profit public agency. IEHP services San Bernardino and Riverside counties and has more than 1.12 million members in the following programs: Medi-Cal (including seniors and persons with disabilities), IEHP DualChoice Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) and Healthy Kids. Through a dynamic partnership with providers, award-winning service and innovative products, IEHP is fully committed to providing members with quality, accessible and wellness based healthcare services. www.iehp.org.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iehp-increases-the-network-enhancement-fund-for-new-providers-to-16-million-300207999.html

SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)