AbsoluteCare Expands to Chicago With Aetna Partnership

Integrated care company AbsoluteCare is expanding to the Chicago market in a partnership with Aetna Better Health of Illinois, a Medicaid plan. Earlier this year the company expanded its services to Akron, Dayton, and Cincinnati communities in Ohio, building upon its existing operations in Cleveland and Columbus. 

Columbus, Md.-based AbsoluteCare now operates in 11 markets: Baltimore and Prince George's County, MD; Chicago, IL; Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton OH; New Orleans, LA; and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA.

The company integrates medical, behavioral, pharmacological and social support services to help vulnerable members overcome health inequities and achieve better outcomes. Its approach addresses the medical and non-medical challenges faced by members, with a focus on social determinants of health (SDoH), including support securing safe housing, accessing food, fostering community through events, and beyond.

AbsoluteCare supports members in comprehensive care centers and through in-home medical care. Its new center in Chicago is located at 2627 W Cermak Rd. and will provide integrated primary care, pharmacy, behavioral health care, social determinants of health services, advanced urgent care and community teams reaching neighborhoods through Cook County. 

Aetna Better Health of Illinois serves over 360,000 Medicaid members in 102 counties.
"Aetna helps their most chronically ill members stay healthy by meeting their day-to-day needs, which is directly aligned to our mission of addressing our members' health and life needs in our centers and in their homes," said Michael Radu, CEO of AbsoluteCare, in a statement. "This partnership allows us to bring truly transformative care to Chicagoans who need it most."

"For many of our members, especially those with complex care needs and chronic conditions, whole-person care is essential for improving their health and quality of life," said Rushil Desai, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Illinois, in a statement. "Together with AbsoluteCare, we look forward to enabling access to the comprehensive, integrated care our members in Illinois need to improve health outcomes.”

Founded in 2000 by Alan Cohn, AbsoluteCare began as a single care center in Atlanta focused on treating members with HIV/AIDS. Under his leadership, AbsoluteCare quickly became an HIV Center of Excellence, achieving a 97% undetectable rate.

With the scientific advancements in HIV treatment and prevention, AbsoluteCare was able to identify members who were experiencing challenges from other chronic illness and social determinants of health. As a result, its “Beyond Medicine” care model was created to meet those needs.