NAPA, CA – November 15, 2024 – CommuniCare+OLE announced today that it was once again nationally recognized for clinical quality by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as well as locally by Partnership Health Plan of California. CommuniCare+OLE performed in the top 20% nationwide of health centers rated by HRSA’s Community Health Quality Recognition program and had the fifth highest overall quality score for Northern California among the sites participating in Partnership’s quality improvement program (QIP).
“We are focused on ensuring we provide high-quality care to our patients and clients, and we are incredibly proud of this recognition by HRSA and Partnership Health Plan,” said Alicia Hardy, CommuniCare+OLE CEO. “Every day our teams across all our sites take care of some of the most vulnerable and complex patients in our communities, many of whom would not otherwise have access to services. Being able to make inroads to improve their wellbeing on a scale large enough to receive this type of recognition is remarkable, and it is a testament to the incredible model we have built at CommuniCare OLE.”
CommuniCare+OLE has a long history of recognition for quality, traditionally placing in the top 30 percent of sites nationwide under HRSA’s Community Health Quality Recognition Program. This is the first time the organization has broken into the top 20 percent. For 2024, in addition to receiving overall quality leader recognition, CommuniCare+OLE was also awarded several other program badges:
- Access Enhancer: For increasing the number of patients who receive one comprehensive service by at least 5%
- Health Disparities Reducer: For improving the rates of low birthweight, hypertension or diabetes control by at least 10% among at least one racial/ethnic group
- Advancing HIT for Quality: For using electronic health records systems, offering telehealth services, exchanging clinical information electronically, and engaging patients through Health IT (e.g., patient portal, remote patient monitoring, texting campaigns)
- Addressing Social Risk Factors: For collecting data on social risk factors and increasing the number of patients receiving enabling services (e.g., food assistance, transportation assistance)
The Partnership Health Plan Quality Improvement Program aims to improve both clinical and nonclinical areas for health centers that offer primary care services to Medi-Cal members. Clinical measures include improvements to prevention and screening rates and chronic disease management. Non-clinical measures examine improvements to primary care access and operations, and patient experience. Four CommununiCare+OLE sites received a perfect score for clinical measure: St. Helena, North Napa Campus, Davis Community Clinic, and Hansen Family Health Centers in Woodland. Overall, CommuniCare+OLE received a score of 91 percent and was the fifth highest scoring health center for Partnership Health Plan in Northern California.
CommuniCare+OLE also retained its designation as a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) across all 9 currently recognized sites in our three-county area. PCMH recognition involves employing a model of care delivery that is centered around the relationship of patients with a care team, led by a primary care provider, who all work together to ensure that patients’ care is coordinated and holistic. The PCMH model is predicated on research showing that relationships between patients and their care team are foundational to improved quality and can ultimately lead to improved health and outcomes.
About CommuniCare+OLE
CommuniCare+OLE is the result of a 2023 union of two health centers with deep roots in their respective communities and reputations for providing high-quality primary care to all, regardless of insurance or ability to pay: OLE Health of Napa and Solano Counties and CommuniCare Health Centers of Yolo County. Building on a legacy established by both organizations in 1972, CommuniCare+OLE is a network of federally qualified health centers with 17 sites across Napa, Solano, and Yolo Counties. It offers comprehensive care, including medical, dental, behavioral health and substance use treatment, nutrition, optometry, pharmacy, care coordination, referrals, and enrollment assistance to more than 70,000 individuals, and no one is turned away due to lack of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay. Many services are offered outside of its sites, including mobile health, home visiting, and community and school-based programs.
