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Health Net leaders share the stage at the State of Reform Virtual Health Policy Conference

Date: 09/11/20

The 2020 Northern California State of Reform Health Policy Conference wrapped up its 10th annual event in August. This year, it was a series of virtual meetings. Two Health Net leaders shared their expertise at the conference:

  • Abbie Totten, Medi-Cal Program Officer
  • Todd May, MD, Senior Medical Director for Commercial

Abbie Totten

Abbie Totten served on a panel with:

  • Mike Witte, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the California Primary Care Assoc.
  • Laurel Lucia, Director of the Health Care Program at the UC Berkeley Center on Labor.

The morning session focused on Medi-Cal. Experts say that the current economic setting will soon drive a spike in enrollment.

Totten explained that Health Net has not seen such a spike to date. Why? Many who lost their job already had Medi-Cal. Others kept their health plan for several months as part of their layoff terms. However, Totten expects more enrollees the longer the economic downturn lasts. Totten also touched on the $13 million in grants Health Net awarded to Medi-Cal. Providers used these funds to expand telehealth options for members.

Dr. Todd May, MD

Todd May, MD served on a panel with:

  • L. Gordon Moore, MD, Senior Medical Director at 3M Health Information Systems
  • Steve Robertson, Chief Information Officer at Hawaii Pacific Health.

The session was moderated by Dave Ford, Vice President, Health Information Technology at the California Medical Association. The session focused on how new technology is re-shaping health care.

Dr. May discussed the challenge of providing access to telemedicine. Part of that challenge is scale. Health Net has more than two million Medi-Cal enrollees. Access to telehealth remains key during the pandemic. Families do not need to leave their home and go to a clinic to see a doctor. To help, Health Net launched Babylon, the company's telehealth app in only seven weeks. This meant more people could see a doctor and practice social distancing. The 2020 Northern California State of Reform Health Policy Conference was a unique virtual experience for those in attendance. You can learn more about State of Reform and the latest news in health policy.



Last Updated: 04/16/2021