Inspiration Health by HealthEast with Medica Offers an ACO to East Metro Residents through My Plan by Medica

New ACO option in Medica’s popular private health exchange focused on quality outcomes, lower costs and a more coordinated, personalized experience

Inspiration Health by HealthEast with Medica Offers an ACO to East Metro Residents through My Plan by Medica

<0> MedicaGreg Bury, 952-992-8427orHealthEastTracy Miland, 651-232-2255 </0>

Medica and HealthEast Care System announced today a collaboration on an accountable care organization (ACO) option in Medica’s market-leading private health exchange, My Plan by Medica. The ACO will be called Inspiration Health by HealthEast and is available for an effective coverage date of November 1, 2012.

Under an ACO model, the provider and the health plan work together to improve the quality of care, manage the total cost of care and optimize the consumer experience.

The partnership between HealthEast and Medica is founded on the strengths of two organizations known for their innovation and leadership in the healthcare industry. HealthEast Clinics are recognized as a “top performer” for quality and patient satisfaction as publicly reported by Minnesota Community Measurement. Additionally, the HealthEast hospitals are ranked among the safest in Minnesota, according to Consumer Reports. Medica, meanwhile, is at the forefront of managing healthcare costs while creating products that ensure better patient outcomes.

“Through Inspiration Health by HealthEast and our participation in My Plan by Medica, we are working with Medica to create value for our patients through measurable improvements in cost, quality and patient satisfaction,” said Tom Schmitt, HealthEast’s senior vice president of accountable care organization, clinics and outpatient services. “It provides us with an opportunity to bring our brand of care to the east metro area in an innovative way that delivers outcomes everyone should expect from the healthcare system. Our goal is to inspire the communities we serve to get and stay healthy – improving the overall quality of their lives.”

Said Simeon Schindelman, Medica’s senior vice president of commercial markets: “Medica and HealthEast share a commitment to delivering care that is efficient and more affordable. Combining our strengths through Inspiration Health by HealthEast delivers on that commitment and gives more consumers the opportunity to directly experience the benefits of our collaboration.”

Inspiration Health by HealthEast includes access to a local network with more than 1,000 providers, four hospitals, 14 primary care clinics and several specialty care clinics and centers. My Plan by Medica members who choose Inspiration Health by HealthEast will benefit from ACO’s innovative care model. Inspiration Health by HealthEast includes the following features:

My Plan by Medica is a private health exchange model based on a defined contribution financing approach. Employers determine how much money they want to spend on employee health benefits and then allocate pre-tax dollars into a health account on behalf of each employee. The private health exchange, proprietary to Medica and powered by Bloom Health, allows employers to offer an integrated health plan enrollment experience for their employees – from making a plan selection to account administration and customer service.

Medica ( and ) is a health services company headquartered in Minneapolis and active in the Upper Midwest. With approximately 1.5 million members, the non-profit company provides health care coverage in the employer, individual, Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare Part D markets in Minnesota and a growing number of counties in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Medica also offers national network coverage to employers who also have employees outside the Medica regional network.

Medica has the highest accreditation status, Excellent, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA®) for its Minnesota Medicaid HMO plans and commercial health plans in Minnesota and North Dakota. Medica’s vision is to become the community’s health plan of choice, trusted for its integrity, respected for its service, and admired for its commitment to innovation and efficiency.

Connect with Medica on Twitter and Facebook at .

HealthEast Care System () is a community-focused, non-profit health care organization that provides innovative technology, compassionate care and a full spectrum of family health services. HealthEast includes Bethesda Hospital, St. John's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Woodwinds Health Campus as well as outpatient services, clinics, home care and medical transportation services.

HealthEast is the largest, locally-owned health care organization in the Twin Cities’ East Metro with 7,300 employees, 1,200 volunteers and 1,500 physicians on staff.