Cleveland Clinic and Humana are creating two $0 premium Medicare Advantage health plans for seniors in Cuyahoga County, according to a news release.
The Humana Cleveland Clinic Preferred Medicare Plans will be offered during this year's Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, with plan coverage beginning Jan. 1.
Both plans—a Medicare Advantage HMO for those with Medicare, and a Medicare Advantage dual-eligible special needs plan for individuals covered by both Medicare and Medicaid—have a $0 monthly premium, $0 primary-care physician office visit copay, $0 copay for a 30-day supply of Tier-1 prescription drugs and require no referrals to see in-network specialists. The plans give members access to the clinic's physicians, specialties and facilities, as well as independent physicians who are part of the Cleveland Clinic Quality Alliance.
"We look forward to bringing an integrated, patient-centered experience for Medicare Advantage patients that will give them access to quality care to meet their healthcare needs," Kevin Sears, executive director of Cleveland Clinic Market and Network Services, said in a statement.
The new plans build upon an existing value-based care agreement between the two designed to help people achieve their best health by emphasizing, according to the release: more personal time with health professionals and personalized care; access to proactive health screenings and programs focused on preventing illness; improved care for people living with chronic conditions; leveraging technologies that connect physicians and help them work as a team to coordinate care around the patient; and reimbursement to physicians linked to the health outcomes of their patients.
"By offering broad access to Cleveland Clinic's extensive resources, our goal is to enable a more seamless, coordinated patient experience and help Ohioans in Cuyahoga County improve their well-being and achieve their best health," Larry Costello, president of Humana Senior Products in Ohio, said in a statement.
Many insurers have reported significant membership gains in Advantage plans over the past few years as baby boomers age into the Medicare program. Payment rates for insurers that sell Advantage plans will rise by 0.45% on average for 2018—a better than expected pay bump.
This is the second time this year that Cleveland Clinic has attached its name to an insurance product. Earlier this year, the clinic announced a co-branded plan with New York City-based Oscar Health that would be sold on and off the health insurance exchanges in Ohio. The offering marks Oscar Health's first expansion into Ohio. The insurer was founded in 2012 and operates in the individual and small-group markets.
"Cleveland Clinic, Humana launch co-branded Medicare Advantage plans" originally appeared in Crain's Cleveland Business.
