Gold Coast Health Plan Achieves NCQA Accreditation
In a significant milestone for quality healthcare,
Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) announced its recent achievement of Health Plan Accreditation from the
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This certification highlights GCHP's ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare quality, access, and member experience, particularly for residents in
Ventura County.
What is NCQA?
The
NCQA is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality through rigorous measurement and improvement programs. It is known for its
HEDIS® (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) and
CAHPS® (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) measures, which evaluate both clinical performance and consumer experiences, respectively.
What This Accreditation Means
Achieving NCQA Health Plan Accreditation is no small feat. It is recognized as an evidence-based program that provides a comprehensive framework for healthcare organizations to improve their operations in key areas important to stakeholders, including states, employers, and consumers.
Dr.
Felix Nuñez, CEO of GCHP, emphasized the importance of this accreditation, stating, "Preparing for the NCQA Health Plan Accreditation reinforced our responsibility to continuously evaluate how we serve our members and how we can do better." This accreditation not only reflects GCHP's dedication to its members but also aims to align its services and partnerships towards providing equitable and high-quality care.
Highlights from the Evaluation
During the evaluation, GCHP received praise for its
comprehensive case management program and effective outreach strategies, with none of the standards scoring below 100%. These results reflect GCHP's commitment to building robust systems that support both its members and healthcare providers effectively.
Dr.
James Cruz, GCHP's Chief Medical Officer, reiterated the accreditation's importance, stating, "This accreditation is about building strong, reliable systems that support both members and providers. It reinforces our focus on access, quality, and trust, which are key elements of a health system that truly works for the community."
Commitment to Health Equity
Adding to its accolades, GCHP previously earned
NCQA Health Equity Accreditation in September 2025. This recognition showcases the organization's proactive approach in identifying and working to reduce health disparities, alongside its commitment to improving culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
Together, these two accreditations symbolize GCHP's unwavering commitment to excellence within the healthcare sector while serving its diverse member population.
About Gold Coast Health Plan
Established in 2011, Gold Coast Health Plan serves around
235,000 Medi-Cal members in Ventura County via its extensive network of primary care physicians, specialists, behavioral health providers, and hospitals. GCHP's ongoing commitment is to enhance the health and well-being of its members, which include a sizable portion of the county's population, such as 1 in 3 residents, 1 in 6 seniors, and 1 in 2 children under the age of 5. For more details about Gold Coast Health Plan, visit
www.goldcoasthealthplan.org.
In conclusion, as healthcare systems nationwide strive for improvement, Gold Coast Health Plan has set an example by achieving NCQA accreditation, showcasing its dedication to providing high-quality healthcare and enhancing the overall member experience in Ventura County.