Oscar Health, a technology-driven health insurer, and the Bronx, N.Y.-based Montefiore Health System, have launched a co-branded Medicare Advantage plan that New Yorkers can enroll in starting Oct. 15, pending approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Montefiore will look to partner with Oscar’s personalized concierge teams—a group of care guides and nurses dedicated to each member—who get to know members and help them find appropriate doctors and pharmacies so members can avoid additional costs.
Oscar’s expansion into New York’s Medicare Advantage market, in addition to its presence in both the individual and small group markets, will aim to bring its tech-driven member experience to more consumers, its officials believe. Oscar will also offer new Medicare Advantage plan in Houston.
Montefiore has been growing its presence in the Medicare Advantage market, and extending the reach of Medicare Advantage coverage will make its delivery of services available to that more Medicare beneficiaries throughout New York, the organization’s officials say.
Oscar first announced that it would be entering the Medicare Advantage market in August 2018. Plans beginning January 1, 2020, pending regulatory approval, will be available during the Medicare Advantage Annual Election Period, from October 15 to December 7, 2019.
“Montefiore and Oscar are both innovators,” said Lynn Richmond, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Montefiore Medicine. “Montefiore’s mission has always been to advance the health of our communities through innovation –providing care when and where people need it most. With Oscar’s technology-driven models and our aligned dedication to providing an exceptional experience for Medicare beneficiaries, we are creating a new approach that will promote health and well-being and provide a seamless, patient-centered experience.”
