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December 30, 2008

Finding a health care provider, pharmacy or facility in Contra Costa County is now only a couple of clicks away thanks to a new, easy-to-use Online Search Engine (OSE).

The new service was developed by Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), a division of Contra Costa Health Services, and is accessible at contracostahealthplan.org. Once on the website, users should click on the Provider Directory from the menu at the left side of the screen.

"Any member or potential member can now search for and find information about more than 1,300 contracted CCHP health care providers based on their health care needs. Quality health care begins with choice. The OSE gives our members another tool to be a part of that choice process." said Tracy Ann Ealy, Director of Provider Relations for CCHP. "As well as choosing a provider´s specialty, people can use gender, languages spoken and location to make their choices."

The results also list other detailed information about providers, such as their credentials, office hours, telephone number and health care network. Users may choose to print a personal directory based on their search criteria.

Ealy said CCHP provider information has always been available, but not accessible in this way. The OSE displays search results in a user-friendly format that is easy to read and understand. The OSE results also link to Google Maps, allowing Health Plan members to easily find directions to their destination by car, bus or walking.

"The new system makes it easier to find information about CCHP contracted providers and also streamline the directory printing process while saving in printing costs," Ealy said, adding that the improved technology didn´t require extra county funds.

CCHP has served the health needs for people in the county for more than 30 years. CCHP was the first federally qualified, state-licensed, county-sponsored HMO in the United States. In 1973, CCHP became the first county-sponsored health plan in California to offer Medi-Cal Managed Care coverage. In 1976, CCHP became the first county-run HMO to serve Medicare recipients. In the 1980s, CCHP expanded its programs to reach out to county employees, businesses, individuals and families.

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