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Portland, Ore., May 4, 2017 – “The population of the metro area is evolving, and there is a growing need for home-based primary, palliative and hospice care in addition to the traditional clinic setting,” says Eric C. Hunter, CEO of CareOregon.

CareOregon and Housecall Providers (HCP) signed an agreement on May 3, 2017, as the first step toward a strategic partnership designed to increase access to home-based medicine across the Portland metro area.  Beginning May 31, 2017, they anticipate HCP becoming a limited liability company in the CareOregon family, while continuing as a separate nonprofit, retaining its name, current providers and patients, services and location.

"We are thrilled with the prospect of working more fully with CareOregon, a longtime partner that shares our mission-driven commitment to vulnerable populations," said Terri Hobbs, Housecall Providers executive director. "We believe this partnership will assist us in caring for more chronically ill people, while strengthening our team approach to home-based medicine. CareOregon has a strong track record of helping providers develop new operational strengths and greater service integration."

As a national leader and one of the largest providers of home-based medicine on the West Coast, HCP offers in-home primary care, palliative care, and  hospice services to nearly 2,000 homebound patients each year. By remaining a separate community asset, HCP will continue to receive patients through its historical referral sources, such as home health agencies, social workers, adult care homes, while also increasing access to home-based medical medicine for CareOregon members.

CareOregon serves approximately one fourth of Medicaid patients in the state. It also offers two Medicare plans.

"I believe one of CareOregon's greatest assets is our ability to work collaboratively with our provider partners to help them improve practice quality and efficiency," says Amit Shah, MD, chief medical officer for CareOregon. "We offer providers non-traditional support, such as embedding health plan staff in clinics, individualized pharmacy services and medication management, and a wide range of payment innovations."

"CareOregon works closely with valued community agencies to coordinate food, housing, and mental health needs with acute care needs. Housecall Providers, already part of our network, is an ideal partner because we share the same mission and commitment to caring for underserved populations, while focusing on individuals' unique needs."

Now participating in the fifth year of a national demonstration project, Independence at Home (IAH), HCP has proven that home-based medicine improves quality and efficiency of care for the chronically ill.  With the nation's best outcomes in the project, HCP has shown its tremendous importance in the future of national health care delivery. 

"Through their more than 20-year histories, Housecall Providers and CareOregon have shared a common vision, mission and population," said Hobbs. "Through this partnership, Housecall Providers will bring decades worth of experience delivering home-based medical care to an innovative health plan whose vision is for all individuals, regardless of income or social circumstances, to experience the best health possible. Together, we can improve delivery of home-based primary, palliative and hospice care to metro's most vulnerable population in the face of a rapidly changing health care climate."