When it comes to making appointments with her doctors, Carmy Peters, senior director of development at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, relies on the assistance of USC Premier Care.

Peters has worked for USC Norris for more than 25 years, and so knows many of the doctors and their staff at Keck Medicine of USC, but she says the assistance USC Premier Care provides with scheduling appointments gives her more time to focus on her work.

“It saves time and energy. I just tell them I need an appointment and I know they will follow through and I know it will get done quickly,” Peters said.

The overall goal of USC Premier Care, a service that is free of charge to USC Trojan Care EPO and USC PPO plan members and their families, is to help members navigate the health care services available through Keck Medicine.

While Peters uses USC Premier Care for simple tasks like making appointments, that are many other ways USC Premier Care helps plan members get on the path to better health. Utilizing USC Premier Care services, members learn what they need to do to improve their health and connect with experts across Keck Medicine to receive additional care.

The team can help members understand and manage their medications or connect members with a pharmacist at Keck Medicine who will help. USC Premier Care will also help members understand which important preventive measures are appropriate for them and for their families, such as cancer screenings and wellness visits.

Members can request assistance with completing the university’s annual health assessment process, which saves employees up to $480 per year on medical insurance premiums.

USC Premier Care can connect plan members with other health care providers at Keck Medicine depending on the need. Patients who need physical therapy, occupational therapy or counseling can ask team members to connect them with a provider who will meet their needs.

The program also offers programs to address common chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Patients who need help to safely transition home after a stay in the hospital can access service through USC Premier Care.

Open enrollment is currently underway for Keck Medicine of USC and University of Southern California employees, through Nov. 16. To have access to USC Premier Care’s specialized services, employees should choose either the USC Trojan Care EPO or the USC PPO plan.