Smoothing the transition to adult care

Date: 10/17/17

California Health & Wellness can help providers find an adult provider (e.g., a primary care physician, specialist or other provider) for members reaching adulthood.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a transition to an adult care provider between ages 18 and 21, considering each case individually and including discussion with the patient and his or her caregivers.

The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health (NAAAH) says the process can begin as early as age 12, when patients and their families can be informed of the transition policy. Transition planning can begin at age 14 and can continue with readiness assessments until the transition takes place between ages 18 and 21.

We encourage your staff to contact California Health & Wellness for help shifting a patient to a new physician, if needed. You can also find tip sheets and clinical resources at gottransition.org, an NAAAH program.