The story of Inter Valley Health Plan is a modern-day phenomenon developed from the desire to solve the challenge of health care practices and inform the community on healthy living. Begun as a simple idea of a few people who wanted to provide affordable health plans with real personal service, the guiding objectives of the organization today remain unchanged.

The Beginning
In 1979, Inter Valley Health Plan was started by a group of physicians, the Valley Independent Physicians, and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center who designed the health plan on the pillars of improving member health and providing first-class, real customer service for the commercial insurance population.

Originally named Pomona Valley Health Plan, the company began as a non-profit and remains one today. In 1983, the company expanded its service area to include areas outside of Pomona, and the following year renamed the corporation to Inter Valley Health Plan to reflect its growth.

Service To Seniors
As Inter Valley Health Plan continued to grow so did its offerings. In 1983 the company acquired a Medicare contract allowing it to offer health benefits to retired individuals. Inter Valley Health Plan created an array of specialized benefits to this population and called the program Service To Seniors.

Over time the membership base grew in response to demand in neighboring geographic counties, including Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino.

The next decade proved to be challenging for the company’s commercial products. In 2002, due to financial constraints on network physician groups and hospitals, Inter Valley Health Plan was unable to compete in the commercial marketplace; consequently, closing their commercial product and focusing efforts entirely on its Medicare plan.

Today, Inter Valley Health Plan still offers Service To Seniors as well as a variety of other Medicare plans that focus on the needs of the members.

Commitment to Members’ and Community Vitality
Inter Valley Health Plan has been dedicated to the communities it serves for over 30 years. Unlike the vast majority of HMOs serving Southern California today, Inter Valley Health Plan continues to stay non-profit – meaning rather than allocating money to stockholders, the company puts its members first. One key way it does this is through making sure its members receive care through a friendly, quality and reliable provider networks.

Because Inter Valley Health Plan is not just a health plan, but a lifestyle, The Vitality Series was created. The Vitality Series is all about health education, wellness, enjoying life and giving back. It is based on instilling a sense of energy and celebration into life, and making every moment count.

Throughout the year, members and the community at-large have the opportunity to attend several monthly free health and wellness workshops on everything from nutrition and label reading to diabetes, Osteoporosis and Maintaining a Healthy Brain.

Inter Valley Health Plan designed the Vitality Series to help engage, educate and empower local seniors to make healthier lifestyle choices.  In addition to holding the programs at senior centers, they are taken directly to the seniors in senior living communities where seniors are not as mobile. For a full list of our upcoming workshops, please visit http://www.ivhp.com/Site/VitalitySeries.aspx.

Helping Hands
Each year, Inter Valley Health Plan and its employees actively support more than 40 charitable and community organizations in its service area.

In light of the company’s 30^th anniversary in 2009, the Helping Hands Week was created to provide an outlet for Inter Valley Health Plan employees to volunteer and receive recognition for their efforts, as well as to help continue the company’s mission of health and vitality for the communities it serves.

In 2009, the Helping Hands Week included over 50 Inter Valley employees who contributed more than 150 hours to 13 local non-profit organizations. This year, over 58 employees donated 233 hours of community service and administrative hours in preparation of the annual event, and the organization increased employee community involvement by 33 percent compared to 2009’s initial numbers.

The results externally and internally have been so powerful that Inter Valley extended Helping Hands Week into an annual Helping Hands program where employees are recognized for their volunteer efforts. Employees receive a Helping Hands pin for their outstanding commitment to volunteerism.

Sensitivity to Seniors
With over 39 million Americans over the age of 60 (Administration for Aging) – and the number growing larger each year – Inter Valley Health Plan has provided the Older Adult Sensitivity Training (OAST) workshops to help organizations, cities, government agencies, medical groups and hospitals, whose staffs interface with seniors on a regular basis, experience firsthand how older adults may be facing the challenges of aging.

Through exercises, such as wearing glasses to imitate glaucoma, using earplugs to mimic hearing impairment, or binding your arm to simulate a stroke, OAST helps staff be more empathetic, understanding and patient. Some of the recent organizations who have participated in Inter Valley Health Plan’s OAST include the San Bernardino County Department of Aging, Apple Valley Fire Department, and doctors offices and senior centers throughout the Inland Empire.

Senior Social Activities
Inter Valley Health Plan believes that good health care is more than just good medicine.

Inter Valley Health Plan hosts a bevy of senior activities throughout the year, including the ever-popular Senior Talent Showcase and Senior Prom.

Annually, Inter Valley Health Plan puts on several senior non-competitive talent showcases. From tapping to singing to stand up comedy, the show draws a large response from talented seniors throughout the community.

Inter Valley Health Plan also hosts the annual Senior Proms , where local seniors
come out and compete at dancing for the title of Inter Valley Health Plan Prom King
and Queen.

A Voice for Our Members
At Inter Valley Health Plan, advocacy is a key component. This is why the company’s board of directors is so diverse. It is comprised of one-third consumers, one-third physicians and one-third hospital representatives, which give it a perfect vocal representation of Inter Valley Health Plan’s members. These representatives help to determine the day-to-day activities of the organization, as well as help envision long-term planning objectives.

Providing a direct voice for the members is the Member Advisory Council, a varied group of current Inter Valley Health Plan members who meet bi-monthly. Designed to help keep a pulse on the member needs, the Council provides recommendations on current programs and health strategies for the future.

Quality of – and access to – Medicare continues to be the driving mission of Inter Valley Health Plan. For this reason, the organization has forged successful alliances with physicians, nurses, hospital staff, health educators and patients to keep health care affordable and provide the plans and customer service  to our members.

Looking Ahead
With 18,300 insured members and 95 employees, Inter Valley Health Plan is not only one of Southern California’s most prominent Medicare providers, but also one of the oldest, most stable and friendly Medicare HMOs in the region. Over the years, we have consistently been ranked above the national average on customer service and overall health plan by our members (2010 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare). It is Inter Valley Health Plan’s commitment to improving and managing the health of seniors that helps us continue to pave the way for the aging population.

For more information about Inter Valley Health Plan, please visit http://www.IVHP.com or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/InterValley (by clicking this link, you will be redirected away from our website).

Media Contacts: 
Arika Daniels
iacunato/mclane
(888) 356-6406 x89                           
arika@iacunato-mclane.com                      

Cyndie O’Brien
Vice President of Sales/Marketing and Communications
(800) 251-8191                                  
cobrien@ivhp.com