Alignment Healthcare adding 14 new counties to MA footprint for 2023

Tech-enabled Medicare Advantage insurer Alignment Healthcare is expanding its geographic reach into 14 new counties for the 2023 plan year.

The expansion brings Alignment's total footprint up to 52 markets across Arizona, California, Nevada and North Carolina as well as two new states, Florida and Texas. The insurer said in its announcement that the expansion will allow it to reach 1.1 million more potential beneficiaries.

In addition, the insurer said it is bringing $0 premium plans to new markets, such as Santa Clara County in California, and building out the reach of plans designed specifically for Asian and Hispanic seniors, according to the announcement.

The Harmony plan includes coverage for traditional Eastern wellness services like cupping, acupuncture and gua sha as well as a monthly grocery stipend that can be spent at any in-network Asian grocery store. The One, or El Unico, plan is a $0 premium HMO plan that features a Spanish-speaking provider network and service agents.

"Our model puts our members at the heart of everything we do: our plans deliver a breadth of choice and value, our care teams proactively engage members to ensure the best care experience and our proprietary technology empowers us to deliver customized, coordinated care that drives better health outcomes," CEO John Kao said. "As we grow, we continue to show that it is possible to deliver high-quality care at a lower cost and to do it at scale."

"Our 2023 plan offerings and benefits are designed to empower seniors nationwide to age well, where and how they choose," Kao added.

Alignment members can also access the insurer's on-demand concierge "black card," which they can use like a debit card on eligible grocery and over-the-counter items at 50,000 stores across the country.

Open enrollment for Medicare begins Oct. 15.