Introducing MHealth Insured, a collaboration among Houston’s leading health care organizations: UniCare, which has provided the security of quality health insurance benefits to thousands of area residents for nearly 30 years; Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, the long-time leading health care provider in the area with 11 hospitals; and Memorial Hermann Health Network Providers (HNP), a group of thousands of physicians.
MHealth Insured is a suite of cutting edge PPO products that represents a clinically integrated approach designed to enhance the quality, service and cost effectiveness of patient care.
“Clinical integration involves providers working together in an interdependent fashion so that they can pool infrastructure and resources, and develop, implement and monitor protocols, “best practices,” and various other organized processes,” said Dr. Doug Ardoin, physician in chief, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. “This enables providers to offer higher quality health care in a more efficient manner than they likely could achieve working independently. The result is primary care physicians (“PCPs”) and specialists of all kinds working more closely together and in a better coordinated fashion.
“Quality health care is cost-effective health care,” said Jim Hickey, regional vice president of network management for UniCare. “The efficiencies of MHealth are designed to lead to an immediate cost savings on premiums. Long term savings will also be realized as a result of MHealth’s clinically integrated approach, which is unique to the market.”
Memorial Hermann and UniCare have both made a significant investment to produce an insurance solution that can have a real impact on Houston’s uninsured population while stabilizing premium costs and improving the health of participating Houstonians.
“For Houston-area employers, large and small, MHealth Insured offers total coverage for their employees -- both clinically and geographically -- due to the depth and breadth of Memorial Hermann’s facilities and affiliated physicians,” Melissa Paschal, CEO MHealth, said. “No other local system can make that claim, which is why Memorial Hermann is uniquely qualified to partner with UniCare. The scope of our provider network combined with award-winning quality and clinical integration makes us a superior healthcare solution. Additionally, in light of today’s economic constraints, MHealth Insured appeals to smaller, locally based employers and individuals who are looking to cut healthcare costs, but not quality.”
To further increase the efficient delivery and administration of health care, UniCare customer service representatives will be co-located with HNP physicians so that any billing or reimbursement issues can be resolved quickly and in a customer-friendly manner.
MHealth Insured is available to individuals as well as small and large employers. More information can be found at www.mhealthinsured.com.
Contacts:
Tony Felts, UniCare, 317-287-6036
Tony.felts@wellpoint.com
Ann Brimberry, Memorial Hermann, 713-448-6923
Ann.brimberry@memorialhermann.org
ABOUT UNICARE
UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company is a national operating subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc., the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. UniCare can be found on the web at www.unicare.com. Not all UniCare products are available in all states where UniCare is marketed. Insurance coverage is provided by one of the following companies: UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company, UniCare Health Insurance Company of Texas (TX only) or UniCare Health Plans of Texas, Inc. (HMO in TX only ). ® Registered mark of WellPoint, Inc.
About the Memorial Hermann System
An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and 17,000 employees, serves southeast Texas and the greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann’s 11 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and eight suburban hospitals. The system also operates comprehensive cancer centers, the LifeFlight air ambulance program, the area’s only burn treatment center, numerous imaging, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgery centers, a Wellness Center, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. To learn more, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 713-222-CARE.