{"id":404691,"date":"2024-01-26T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=404691"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"CHCC-provides-update-on-Health-Network-Program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/CHCC-provides-update-on-Health-Network-Program\/","title":{"rendered":"CHCC provides update on Health Network Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. said CNMI residents who are seeking full assistance under the Health Network Program must satisfy three main eligibility criteria\u2014medical, residency, and income.<\/p>\n

Strict adherence to regulations pertaining to program eligibility based on these criteria has played a pivotal role in achieving a substantial decrease in the number of referrals.<\/p>\n

However, CNMI residents who do not satisfy all three criteria can still avail support from HNP, formerly known as the Medical Referral Program. Those with a valid Medical Treatment Authorization seeking medical care or treatment unavailable in the Commonwealth, as per program guidelines, can connect with the program for aid in ground transportation (in Guam and Hawaii) and assistance in coordinating self-arranged appointments.<\/p>\n

For instance, HNP staff are able to assist clients who are outside of the program connect with Mercy Medical for complimentary airfare or Hope Lodge, which offers free lodging to cancer patients in Hawaii who meet the criteria.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to ensure efficiency driven by a commitment to place the patient at the center\u201d said Tiffany Crisostomo, chief of Business and Quality Assurance. \u201cRecognizing that no one desires a medical referral journey, we believe that ease is not just a preference, but a compassionate necessity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Individuals who may not receive complete assistance from the HNP are strongly encouraged to connect with the program. The HNP facilitates connections between patients, helps in scheduling appointments, and provides access to low-cost or free services beyond the CNMI.<\/p>\n

Under CHCC\u2019s management of the referral program, significant milestones have been reached. A crucial strategic shift in HNP\u2019s approach to airline bookings was necessary. By directly engaging with airlines rather than relying on travel agencies for air transportation bookings, HNP has significantly reduced costs by $300-$600 per ticket with direct bookings.<\/p>\n

In efforts to enhancing patient experience, HNP shifted away from processing and mailing checks for subsistence allowance, and now provide patients with a debit card for immediate fund uploads, streamlining financial transactions and enhancing convenience.<\/p>\n

The HNP\u2019s innovative approach extends to ground transportation as well. By partnering with companies like Yellow Cab, UBER, and Happy to Help car services and eliminating a single vendor, HNP has not only enhanced flexibility in addressing timely appointments but have also achieved an impressive 70% reduction in ground transportation costs.<\/p>\n

Additionally, HNP phased out blocked rooms which has resulted in a 50% reduction in lodging expenses, allowing the program to redirect funds where they are needed most. Also, HNP leverages alternative resources, such as organizations and accommodations providing cost-free services to eligible individuals.<\/p>\n

These reductions are evident when compared to the 2019 figures when the program operated under the central government. In 2019, the referral program incurred expenditures of approximately $16.9 million. Contrasting this with the fiscal year 2023, the program\u2019s expenses were reduced to about $5.7 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe HNP continues to engage with healthcare providers through regular calls and the expansion of our network to include the Philippines, Taiwan, and Korea showcases our dedication to fostering strong relationships globally,\u201d Crisostomo said. \u201cThis transformative journey is an adjustment to many; however, it reflects our dedication to creating a healthcare system that seamlessly integrates efficiency, compassion, and cost-effectiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more information about CHCC programs, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @cnmichcc; visit https:\/\/www.chcc.health<\/a>; or call (670) 234-8950. (PR)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. on Navy Hill.<\/p>\n

-CHCC
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The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. said CNMI residents who are seeking full assistance under the Health…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-404691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=404691"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404691\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=404691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=404691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=404691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}