Siskiyou Home Health Service - Yreka. CA

Siskiyou Home Health Service

530 842-7325

833 S Oregon St,
Yreka, CA

CHPS currently provides self-insured employers with claims processing and medical management services, as well as a network of over 500 contracted facilities and professionals throughout the region. CHPS serves over 3,000 enrollees, and plans to joint venture with a licensed carrier to offer fully-insured coverage to small employers and individuals. CHPS also allocates a portion of its income to subsidize wellness care for the high risk uninsured. This helps keep their conditions from becoming expensive medical emergencies, whose costs hospitals must pass on to other patients in the form of higher charges.

These services help CHPS accomplish its mission in several ways. First, they redirect back into the local economy dollars that would otherwise leave to pay for management expenses and dividends of for-profit companies, and to pay for medical and administrative services that could be provided locally. Second, by effectively managing care, CHPS not only improves people's health, but also reduces costs. In turn, lower costs expand access by making services and coverage more affordable, and by freeing up resources to subsidize wellness care for the uninsured. Third, as higher incomes correlate with healthier lifestyles, a strong health care system and a healthy population help attract businesses to Siskiyou County, further fueling this positive cycle.

Over the last several years, so-called "managed care" has suffered from overwhelmingly negative public relations, some deserved, some not. Nevertheless, CHPS believes that many of the principles of managed care can greatly enhance the health and quality of life of local residents. These principles include, for example: improved access through lower out-of-pocket costs and expanded benefits; an emphasis on prevention and wellness; coordination of care across the delivery system continuum; use of treatment protocols based on solid clinical research; flexibility in responding to unique clinical situations; and measurement of and accountability for health outcomes.

Although it is a nonprofit corporation with a community-wide mission, CHPS has always recognized that it operates in a highly competitive industry, and that it must earn customer loyalty by providing excellent service at a competitive price, not just by relying on the "feel good" value of being a locally-based nonprofit. Therefore, unlike many "traditional" nonprofit companies, CHPS operates with a very pragmatic, entrepreneurial, customer-focused culture.

As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve indefinitely into the future, CHPS and KHSI have become permanent fixtures in Siskiyou County, and continue to forge relentlessly ahead with their long-term plans. Many rural communities have contemplated developing "community-based health plans". However, only a few have created plans that have survived the rigors of creation, development and operation to the point of actually serving patients. Nevertheless, through the commitment of the people of Siskiyou County, CHPS has actually become financially self-sustaining at its current scope of operations, and continues to grow as a model for rural health.

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