Health Alliance Plan (HAP) and MSU Health Care have introduced a new Medicare option called HAP MSUHC Medicare HMO, a plan designed to help seniors in Michigan manage their health and age in place, while providing health care coverage for their unique needs.
Featuring a zero-cost premium and no primary care provider copay, the HAP MSUHC Medicare HMO is available to all Medicare-eligible individuals in 46 Michigan counties. Members of this plan have access to HAP’s full HMO network of providers that includes more than 50,000 health care providers across the state.
“HAP and MSU Health Care share a common mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” says Dr. Michael Genord, president and CEO of HAP. “The first fruits of this long-term partnership, which combines MSU Health Care’s clinical expertise with HAP’s leadership in Medicare, is this new plan that gives seniors more options than ever for managing their health. By having access to HAP’s full HMO network, our members can get the care they need, when and where they need it.”
He says the plan has a $500 flex card that includes funds for two categories of benefits that can be used at the member’s discretion. Up to $200 can be used toward dental, vision, and hearing services or any combination of the three; and up to $300 can be used toward companion care, a personal emergency response system (PERS), transportation, and over-the-counter items.
The Medicare annual enrollment period runs now through Dec. 7, with coverage effective Jan. 1, 2023.
For more information on the HAP MSUHC Medicare HMO or to compare plans, click here or call HAP at 800-868-9885 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In related news, Michigan State University Health Care in East Lansing is helping the academic medical center deliver on its commitment to address health care challenges in Michigan for established patients and community members through its remote monitoring program operated in partnership with Higi Everyday Health.
“For our patients, it is now easier to monitor, track and share vitals with a trusted clinical partner who will ensure they receive the care they need, and for our providers, we’ve added an actionable dataset directly into the patient record that reliably supports adherence to the prescribed care plan, enhancing the experience of care across the board,” says Roger Jansen, chief innovation and digital health officer at MSU Health Care.
The program offers care for health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, and heart disease Among MSU Health Care patients who have been enrolled in Care Everyday over a 180-day period, on average, a patient’s systolic readings improved by 11.8 points, and their diastolic readings improved by 7.97 points.
Jansen says these early outcomes demonstrate how Care Everyday helps patients gain control over their important health numbers and outcomes will continue to be monitored as the program progresses.
In addition, Jansen says, patients are finding immediate value in the program, with participation tied to increased ownership of health outcomes, short- and long-term financial savings, reduced emergency room admissions and improved satisfaction.
“Remote patient monitoring has provided the ability to get insights on my patients with firm data rather than scribbled notes, allowing me to engage in medication management without taxing the nursing staff with phone calls and messages,” said Churlsun Han, M.D., MSU Health Care internal medicine provider. “Patients also get a clear understanding of our targets and goals and have something to shoot for. I’ve been pleased with the results and look forward to having more patients on remote patient monitoring.”
Han says the offering provides an additional dedicated clinical point of contact for patients, alongside a seamless digital experience, with data collected through Care Everyday fully integrated into the MSU Health Care patient record. For patients who participate, their Care Everyday health, personal, and lifestyle data will be an integral part of their care experience.
