HISTORY

One of three Wisconsin Partnership Programs, Community Health Partnership, Inc. (CHP) grew from start-up funds granted in 1995 to the Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin, Inc. (CILWW) based in Menomonie, Wisc. Funding was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to initiate this unique integrated health and long-term managed care program serving the frail elderly and physically disabled adults. Eau Claire County Human Services agreed to be the sponsoring county, with letters of support coming from adjacent counties. The original proposal included a plan to spin off the Partnership program within a timely fashion in order to preserve CILWW’s service and mission focus.

In the fall of 1995, an office opened in Eau Claire to house six staff. 1996 was a year of extensive studying, planning, infrastructure, and relationship building. By 1997, contracts with over 50 providers had been developed. The Office of Insurance Commissioner (OCI) granted exemptions to operate the Partnership Program and on May 1, 1997, enrollment began with seven members.

Following two years of steady expansion of staff and membership, Community Health Partnership, Inc. (CHP) began operations in 1999 as a separate, independent private, non-profit organization, leaving its official relationship with CILWW but establishing strong linkages and ongoing working relationships with the Center.

Over the next several years, both numbers of enrolled members and staff steadily increased and branch offices were opened in Menomonie and Chippewa Falls.

In January of 2006, Community Health Partnership was awarded by the State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance a certificate of authority to operate as a licensed Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Community Health Partnership, Inc. (CHP) and Partnership Health Plan, Inc. (PHP) together form a unique health and long-term care management organization.

Partnership Health Plan oversees members enrolled in Medicare A, B, and Part D and provides coverage for primary, acute, and mental health care as well as pharmacy services.

PHP also covers long-term care for all its members as a contracted Medicaid HMO. This coverage includes costs of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other Medicaid-covered services such as HCBW services. PHP contacts with an extensive provider network to provide these services. CHP is funded for Medicare-covered services through a contract with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and for Medicaid and long-term care services through a contract with Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

In 2007, CHP was selected by Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to be a regional Managed Care Organization (MCO) to serve eligible frail elderly and adults with physical and developmental disabilities residing in the Wisconsin counties of Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, and St. Croix.

During 2008, CHP created an additional separate legal managed care entity, CHP-LTS. Through an administrative services agreement, this MCO oversees the operations of Community Family Care, our long-term care product.

After nearly two years of extensive planning and coordination CHP expanded its service area in 2008 to include five counties. CHP also expanded its program offerings to include both the Partnership Program and Community Family Care. Office expansion included the opening of a branch office in River Falls, Wisc.

Based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, CHP currently operates satellite offices in Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and River Falls, Wisc. and coordinates care for individuals in Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, Pierce and St. Croix counties. (Service Area Map). Affiliated services include: Partners Place, an adult day services facility located in Eau Claire.

Since its inception, CHP has remained true to its mission by helping the frail elderly and adults with disabilities live independently at home and in their communities for as long as possible. Today, we are a not-for-profit organization of over 500 health professionals, direct care workers, support staff, and volunteers empowering people to live independently.