OSF, Medica announce health insurance collaboration

Medica, a leading non-profit health plan system operating across the Midwest and serving members in 12 states, is expanding in the Illinois market this fall in collaboration with OSF HealthCare, an integrated health system based in Peoria, Illinois, committed to delivering exceptional care.

Medica affiliate WellFirst Health – provided by SSM Health Plan currently offers Medicare Advantage and individual plans on and off the Exchange in Illinois in two counties in the St. Louis area. Pending regulatory approval, WellFirst Health – provided by SSM Health Plan will revise its name to Medica Central Health Plan (Medica).

Also pending regulatory approval, Medicare Advantage plans from Medica will be available for selection during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, 2023. Medicare-eligible residents in DeWitt, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford counties can enroll in the plans.

“OSF HealthCare is known for delivering exceptional patient-centered care,” said Ralph Velazquez, MD, Chief Medical Officer, OSF HealthCare. “The collaboration between OSF and Medica stems from a shared desire to improve the health and well-being of our local communities. Our partnership will combine localized care with a member-focused, community-based health plan, reflecting our mission and commitment to the communities we’ve been called to serve.”

Medica collaborates with organizations such as OSF HealthCare across its service areas to provide member access to high-quality, affordable health care through comprehensive networks of physicians, hospitals, outpatient settings, and innovative virtual care services.

“We are excited to offer Medicare Advantage plans in the Peoria-Bloomington area and serve new members,” said Dave Docherty, Market Leader for Medica in Illinois “We’re committed to fulfilling our mission of being the trusted health plan of choice and thrilled with the opportunity to collaborate with OSF HealthCare.”

OSF HealthCare has 150+ locations, including 15 hospitals, 49 urgent care locations and nearly 2,000 physicians, specialists and advanced care providers. For more information, visit osfhealthcare.org. Medica serves communities across 12 states by providing health care coverage and related services in the employer, individual, Medicaid and Medicare markets. For information, visit medica.com.

About Medica

Medica Holding Company (www.medica.com) is headquartered in Minnesota. The company and its subsidiaries serve communities by providing health care coverage and related services in the employer, individual, Medicaid and Medicare markets. Such communities include those located in Minnesota, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Medica’s vision is to be trusted in the community for our unwavering commitment to high quality, affordable health care.

About OSF HealthCare

OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare has 15 hospitals – 10 acute care, five critical access - with 2,084 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners throughout 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. In 2020, OSF OnCall was established, a digital health operating unit, including a hospital-at-home, which delivers care and services when, where and how patients prefer to receive them. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org.