The Daily Dose
COVID-19 Update: A Message from CDPHP President and CEO, Dr. John Bennett
To all CDPHP customers, providers, employers, and the entire Capital Region community:
The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting everyone hard, but we will get through this. I want to reassure you that CDPHP is doing its part to help us persevere.
We have expanded telehealth and mental telehealth services for our members; we are giving our physicians the ability to consult with their patients over the phone; and we are lifting all medical prior authorization to speed care.
Further, we are working with our physician community to ensure they are able to get you the care you need while remaining financially viable.
This crisis is a test of our will and our togetherness. Our community is strong and we will fight this pandemic.
In the end, we will see to it that the CDPHP mission of keeping our members healthy, happy, safe, and secure endures.
Thank you.
John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP About the Author
John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP, is president and CEO of Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. (CDPHP), an award-winning, physician aligned, not-for-profit health plan based in Albany, NY. Bennett has held the position since 2008 after serving more than 10 years as chair, vice chair, and board member for CDPHP. During his tenure, CDPHP has been ranked among the top-performing health plans in New York and the nation, most recently named #1 in Customer Satisfaction in the 2023 J.D. Power Member Health Plan Study. Under his leadership, CDPHP has also become known as a model employer regionally and nationally and was recently named among the top five Best Companies to Work for in New York by the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as Forbes Best-in-State Employers 2022. Prior to joining CDPHP, Bennett served as founding member and CEO of Prime Care Physicians, PLLC. During his tenure, he co-led a team of 25 cardiologists and helped grow the practice to a 100-physician multi-specialty group. Bennett is board certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine, with subspecialties in internal medicine and cardiology. He earned his medical degree at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, and a Bachelor of Science degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Bennett completed an internship and residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Albany Medical Center. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians. Bennett is currently board chair for the Center for Economic Growth and the Capital Region Chamber, and vice chair for the Palace Theatre. Bennett also serves on the boards of the New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC), the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Russell Sage Colleges. Bennett is a member of the New York Public Health and Health Planning Council where he helps shape decisions related to New York State's public health and health care delivery system. Well-known locally and nationally for advancing health care innovation, Bennett was recently named to Crain’s New York Business 2021 Notable in Health Care, as well as the Albany Business Review’s Power 50 list.
MARY FRANCHINI
Thank you ! I have been employed with Koinonia Primary Care working with Dr. Bob Paeglow in the most underserved neighborhood in Albany County. This is close to where my family came from and left in the mid 60s. It is a great privilege to help this population. The prior authorizations will be extremely helpful to speed the process of care. Be safe. Mary Franchini nurse
Dr. John D. Bennett
Hi, Mary!
Thank you so much for the kind words. We appreciate all that you – and all of our physician partners – are doing to help the community combat this crisis. Stay safe and God bless!
Veronica Burget
Will the telehealth extend to Physical Therapy?
Dr. John D. Bennett
Hi, Veronica – In light of the COVID-19 crisis, yes, our telehealth policy now includes physical therapy. Thanks for the question!