CareSource members can keep same doctors, hospitals
FLINT, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- McLaren Health Plan today announced it has reached an agreement to purchase CareSource Michigan, a 34,500-member Medicaid health maintenance organization (HMO) based in Lansing, Mich., and operated by CareSource, the nation’s second largest Medicaid managed health care plan, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.
The Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation must review and approve the proposed transaction before it can become final. The approval process is expected to take approximately 90 days.
Upon approval, McLaren Health Plan intends to merge the operations of CareSource Michigan with its current operations headquartered in Flint. CareSource Michigan members will become members of McLaren Health Plan once the transaction has been finalized and will have access to a combined network of more than 20,000 providers statewide. Current CareSource Michigan members will experience no interruption in the health care services they currently receive and will keep their doctors and use the same hospitals. The transaction will not impact CareSource Ohio members.
With the anticipated acquisition, McLaren Health Plan will expand its market for Medicaid managed care to 53 Michigan counties from its current 30-county footprint. Founded in 1998, McLaren Health Plan currently covers more than 80,000 people in its Medicaid HMO.
“For McLaren Health Plan, the ability to expand into new markets and nearly double the geographic service area for our Medicaid managed care services is strategically significant,” said Kathy Kendall, president and CEO of McLaren Health Plan. “Obviously, the Medicaid market in Michigan has been growing and, with the expanded 2014 eligibility standards of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, we expect that this growth will be sustained moving into the future. This transaction would also give McLaren Health Plan a much-needed presence in the ‘dual eligible’ market whose members are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. It expands our service offerings in a meaningful manner.”
Along with a strong commitment to its employees, CareSource has a longstanding reputation for providing excellent care to its members and outstanding service to its provider community, Kendall said.
“McLaren Health Plan shares these same values — to provide superior care and service to the people and communities we serve.”
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), she noted, accredits McLaren Health Plan as “excellent.” And in 2010 and 2011, it was recognized by Modern Healthcare magazine as a “Best Place to Work” in health care in the U.S.
“That says a lot about the value we place on our employees,” Kendall said.
Pamela B. Morris, CareSource president and CEO, said the organization is pleased to have found a nonprofit organization that shares the value of putting members at the center of every decision.
“After months of evaluation, we are confident that McLaren is the right organization to serve the CareSource Michigan health plan and provide the highest quality service and innovation to our current members.”
As part of the formal transition process, all CareSource Michigan members will be sent welcome kits that provide information about McLaren services and participating providers. This includes the offer of a personal health coach who will provide each member with information and assistance in accessing the right health care services based on his or her unique needs.
About McLaren Health Plan
McLaren Health Plan is a licensed HMO currently offering healthcare benefits to more than 150,000 commercial, self-funded and Medicaid beneficiaries. McLaren Health Plan also owns a third party administrator called McLaren Health Advantage, Inc., which provides full healthcare administrative services for employers, including offering full commercial health coverage for self-funded companies. For each of the past six years, McLaren Health Plan has earned the prestigious Pinnacle Award from the Michigan Association of Health Plans. McLaren Health Plan also has earned an “excellent” accreditation for the past six years from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). For more, visit mclarenhealthplan.org.
About CareSource
CareSource is a nonprofit health plan founded on the principles of quality and service, delivered with compassion and a thorough understanding of the Medicaid consumer. By staying true to its mission of making a difference in the lives of underserved people by improving their health care, CareSource has become one of the largest and fastest growing Medicaid managed care plans in the nation and currently serves more than 875,000 Medicaid and Medicare Advantage consumers in Ohio.
CareSource Michigan serves over 34,500 Medicaid consumers in 31 counties as well as Medicare/Medicaid dually eligible consumers in nine counties. With a strong focus on preventive care, CareSource utilizes a continuum of care model to members at all stages of health and illness. CareSource offers benefits such as a 24-hour nurse advice line, transportation to doctor's appointments, weight management programs, no co-pays for prescription drugs and a variety of care management programs. For more information about CareSource, visit www.caresource.com.
About McLaren Health Care
With headquarters in Flint, Mich., McLaren Health Care is annually recognized as one of the top Integrated Health Networks in the nation. McLaren is one of the largest health care providers in the state with a system that reaches more than half of Michigan residents through more than 200 locations, 17,400 employees and 15,000 network physicians. McLaren Health Care net revenue exceeds $2.7 billion. The nonprofit system includes hospitals in Bay City, Flint, Lapeer, Lansing, Mount Clemens, Mount Pleasant, Petoskey and Pontiac. Additional health care services are provided at McLaren–Clarkston; McLaren–Bay Special Care in Bay City; McLaren Orthopedic Hospital in Lansing; and McLaren Proton Therapy Center in Flint (beginning late 2012). McLaren Health Care also operates McLaren Medical Group, an employed physician network; McLaren Homecare Group, an award-winning home health, hospice and medical supplies provider. For more information, visit mclaren.org.
CONTACT:
McLaren Health Plan
Kevin Tompkins, 810.342.1173
or
Publicom
Andy Heller, 517.487.3700
KEYWORDS: United States North America Illinois Ohio
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Practice Management Health Hospitals Other Health Professional Services Insurance General Health Managed Care
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