DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, a Medicaid managed care health plan that will serve Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the state’s new IA Health Link program beginning March 1, 2016, and Mercy Health Network, a health care system with facilities across Iowa, announced today they have signed an agreement that will give AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa’s members access to Mercy Health Network’s hospitals, physicians and other health care services and facilities.
Mercy Health Network includes medical centers in Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Mason City and Sioux City. It is affiliated with additional hospitals, clinics and other providers throughout Iowa as well as in neighboring Nebraska and South Dakota.
“We are excited to add Mercy Health Network to our provider network and partner with them to help make Iowa an even healthier state,” said AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa Market President Cheryl Harding. “For more than 30 years, our family of companies has specialized in helping individuals who are most in need to access quality health care and services. And since our family of companies was also originally founded by the Sisters of Mercy, we know that Mercy Health Network shares our commitment to removing barriers to care and services and to building healthy communities across this state.”
AmeriHealth Caritas has successfully implemented Medicaid managed care plans throughout the country based on an integrated model of care, which includes physical and behavioral health, pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmacy. AmeriHealth Caritas’ unique model of care, along with more than 30 years of experience caring for populations with complex health conditions, affirms AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa as well-prepared to serve the individuals who will participate in the IA Health Link program.
“We are pleased to announce this agreement with AmeriHealth Caritas, as it represents our commitment to provide health care services for all in need,” said David Vellinga, CEO of Mercy Health Network. “We look forward to a long-term partnership that continues our focus on improving the quality of care and health and well-being of low-income families and children in our communities.”
About AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa
AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, is one of the Medicaid managed care plans that will participate in IA Health Link beginning in March 2016. AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa will help Iowans get proper care and stay well, working with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout the state. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasia.com.
About AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies
AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 16 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 6.9 million Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.
About Mercy Health Network
Mercy Health Network (MHN) is an integrated system of member hospitals and other health and patient care facilities united into one operating organization to improve the delivery of healthcare services to the people of Iowa and adjoining states. MHN was created to add value to participating organizations and communities by containing costs, improving quality, increasing accessibility to care, and enhancing services to patients and their families. One in four Iowans who seek health care do so at a MHN-affiliated organization. Its Midwest Rural Telemedicine Consortium is the largest telemedicine program in Iowa. MHN’s two national sponsors own and operate medical centers and other services in Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Mason City, and Sioux City and community hospitals in six other locations. In addition, MHN has 27 members who participate through contracts for management and other services. Mercy Health Network (MHN) was founded in 1998 under a joint operating agreement between two of the largest Catholic, not-for-profit health organizations in the United States: Catholic Health Initiatives, based in Englewood, Colorado, and Trinity Health, based in Livonia, Michigan.
