MHS Health Wisconsin contracts with Integrated Health Network for new Ambetter commercial health plans

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Nov 17, 2014, 09:00 ET

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MHS Health Wisconsin (also known as Managed Health Services) has entered into a contract with Integrated Health Network of Wisconsin (IHN). Under the agreement, Integrated Health Network will be the provider network for MHS Health's new line of commercial health plans, called Ambetter from MHS Health Wisconsin. The Ambetter plans will be offered on the Health Insurance Marketplace in November 2014.

The Ambetter plans are the only commercial products on the Marketplace that have Integrated Health Network's providers as their core network.

Integrated Health Network, an accountable care organization (ACO), is Wisconsin's first and only clinically integrated multi-system health care provider network and one of the first in the United States. IHN's current network members are Agnesian HealthCare, Columbia St. Mary's, Froedtert Health, Ministry Health Care, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and many independent physician partners.

"We're excited to partner with Integrated Health Network to improve the health and well-being of the people we serve," said Sherry Husa, president and CEO of MHS Health. "Our partnership with IHN ensures that our plans offer the largest, best-in-market selection of providers and resources in the areas covered by our products, including eastern Wisconsin's only academic medical center, Level I Trauma Center and a regional burn center. We also offer rewards for healthy behaviors, and some of our plans include vision and dental benefits."

"We are pleased that MHS Health recognizes the value of the IHN network," said Peter Pruessing, CEO of Integrated Health Network. "We look forward to participating in the launch of their new product."

An ACO is a group of healthcare providers—including primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals—that work together collaboratively and accept collective accountability for the cost and quality of care delivered to a population of patients. The goal of coordinated care is to ensure that patients – especially those with chronic illnesses – get the right care at the right time, while avoiding duplication of services and preventing medical errors, since health care information is shared across all the providers who participate in the ACO.

The Health Insurance Marketplace offers consumers a place to compare and purchase a health plan. Consumers can purchase a plan during the open enrollment period from Nov. 15, 2014, to Feb. 15, 2015, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Ambetter health plans also can be purchased on the plan's website at www.ambetterhealth.com.

About MHS Health Wisconsin
MHS Health, founded in 1984, is a health maintenance organization (HMO) that provides coverage for Wisconsin beneficiaries in BadgerCare Plus, SSI and Medicare Advantage. The health plan currently serves about 72,000 members. MHS Health's Medicaid plan is accredited through the NCQA. MHS Health, through its parent company, Centene Corporation, also offers specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services and pharmacy benefits management. For more information, visit www.mhswi.com.

About Integrated Health Network
Founded in 2005 and based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Integrated Health Network (IHN) is a clinically integrated network of independent health systems, hospitals and physicians working together to improve the quality, efficiency and value of health care services in the markets served by its members. Members currently include Agnesian Healthcare, Columbia St. Mary's, Froedtert Health, Ministry Health Care, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and the Medical College of Wisconsin, representing more than 4,500 physicians, 450 clinics and 36 hospitals in northern, central and eastern Wisconsin. The IHN vision is to redefine the delivery of health care through innovation and integration. IHN was recently named among the nation's 100 accountable care organizations to know in 2014 by Becker's Hospital Review. For more information visit www.ihnwi.com.

SOURCE MHS Health Wisconsin