HealthSpring Awarded Texas Medicaid Contract
STAR+PLUS Program Integrates Acute Care and Long-Term Care Services
Houston, TX (PRWEB) HealthSpring, a leading Medicare Advantage plan, announced Monday, August 1, 2011, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) selected HealthSpring to provide STAR+PLUS managed care services for aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid patients in the Hidalgo Service Area. The Hidalgo Service Area includes ten counties in the lower Rio Grand Valley: Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, McMullen, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata.
Under the STAR+PLUS program, HealthSpring will arrange for the provision of a continuum of care with a variety of options and flexibility to meet individual needs. The program combines health and long-term services to elderly and people with disabilities, enabling them to achieve improved health and wellness access, quality, and outcomes at home or in assisted living facilities.
"We're pleased to join together with HHSC to offer enhanced healthcare options to lower Rio Grande Valley residents," said Herb Fritch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HealthSpring. "We know our strong focus on prevention and total body wellness will help members remain healthy and within their communities."
"In addition to the existing Tarrant Service Delivery Area, we look forward to working with the state and continuing to serve STAR+PLUS members in the lower Rio Grande Valley," added Jay Hurt, Divisional President for HealthSpring Texas. "Through this expansion, HealthSpring is pleased to complement its existing Medicare Advantage business in the Rio Grande Valley by providing integrated Medicaid long-term care programs that effectively manage health care costs while delivering high quality care and member satisfaction through meaningful partnerships with physicians and providers."
HealthSpring has offered Medicare Advantage Plans in TX since 2002 with over 80,000 members, of which approximately 6,700 members reside in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy Counties.
STAR+PLUS is a fully integrated program that includes behavioral health services. HealthSpring will be one of three health plans serving approximately 65,000 members in that region. The proposed program start date is March 1, 2012.
About HealthSpring
HealthSpring is based in Nashville, Tenn., and is one of the country's largest Medicare Advantage coordinated care plans. HealthSpring currently owns and operates Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C. HealthSpring also offers a national stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan. For more information, visit http://www.healthspring.com. Media information is available at HealthSpring's press site: http://press.healthspring.com.
SOURCE: PRWeb
View original release here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/medicaid_healthcare/hidalgo_texas/prweb8700123.htm