DETROIT—Health Alliance Plan and MSU Health Care have announced a new effort to educate MSU alumni and other Medicare-eligible individuals about HMO and PPO insurance products this fall as an early outcome of the Henry Ford Health System partnership with Michigan State University. HAP’s Medicare Advantage insurance products will be available across 36 HAP service counties.
This initiative is one of the first outcomes of the historic 30-year partnership between Henry Ford Health System and MSU, which was announced in February. The Henry Ford-MSU agreement is designed to support ground-breaking research; provide best-in-class cancer care; expand training and diversity among the next generation of health care professionals; and address health care disparities in traditionally underserved communities.
Said Michael Genord, M.D., HAP’s president and CEO. “As a Michigan-based insurer, HAP is committed to providing a personalized customer experience, and we’re proud to say that our customer satisfaction consistently scores high marks with our members. That was demonstrated yet again when we were recently ranked highest in member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the Michigan region, according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study.”
The HAP/MSU Health Care partnership marks another milestone in HAP’s expansion across Michigan using tailored Medicare Advantage products. In 2019, HAP partnered with Mercy Health to create a Medicare Advantage plan targeted specifically to the needs of West Michigan residents in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Oceana counties. HAP added seven more West Michigan counties—Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren—in 2020. The HAP-MSU partnership will extend HAP’s reach to approximately 100,000 eligible seniors. This includes a portion of the more than 270,000 MSU alumni in Michigan.
Adults with medical insurance are more likely to be screened for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes and other preventive care measures recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
The HAP-MSU Health Care partnership furthers MSU Health Care’s mission to improve the health of Michigan communities. This spring, MSU Health Care announced two initiatives to increase access to care: An affiliation with Everside Health to offer employer sponsored direct primary care, and a collaboration with Higi to connect individuals to care through their Smart Health Stations in local supercenter chain and grocery stores.
“The partnership with HAP is critical to our mission to improve the health of our communities,” said Seth Ciabotti, CEO of MSU Health Care. “Research has shown that lack of insurance is a barrier to receiving timely health screenings and preventive care. Through the HAP/MSU Health Care partnership exceptional health care and cost-effective insurance opportunities come together to support better health outcomes.”