HealthSpring wins 3-yr contract for managed care services

HealthSpring has secured a three-year contract from Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide managed care services to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in the greater Chicago area.

The contract is part of the Illinois Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative, which aims to integrate Medicare and Mediciaid benefits and services to create a unified, easy-to-navigate health care system for dual-eligible beneficiaries.

Under the program, HealthSpring will be responsible for coordinating enrollees care and to provide medical, behavioral health, pharmacy and long-term services and supports.

The financial terms of the deal were not divulged. The enrollment in the program is voluntary and the roughly 118,000 eligible beneficiaries in the Greater Chicago area may select which plan to join or opt to stay with traditional Medicaid.

The greater Chicago service area for the demonstration includes countries like Cook, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Will and Kankakee.

HealthSpring President Herb Fritch said, “HealthSpring’s  coordinated care model has yielded proven results for dual-eligible patients and our focus on personalized and preventive care aligns well with the state’s vision to deliver better access to care and improved patient outcomes for the dual-eligible population.”

 HealthSpring has served greater Chicago residents since January 2005 with Medicare Advantage plans. The company has a good experience in providing services to dual-eligible beneficiaries, with more than 30% of its national Medicare Advantage membership being dual-eligible beneficiaries, with more than 30% of its national Medicare Advantage membership being dual-eligible beneficiaries.

HealthSpring’s Special Needs Plan is the largest in the greater Chicago area with 50% market share.

HealthSpring is the fastest growing coordinated care plans whose primary focus is Medicare Advantage plans. The company presently owns and operates Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, Delaware, Florida,Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Washington D.C, and West Virginia.