Partnership With Bright Health Adds New Insurance Options

Starting in January 2020, individuals in Nebraska purchasing health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange and Medicare beneficiaries will have a new choice when selecting insurance products.

Through our Accountable Care Organization, the Nebraska Health Network (NHN), Methodist Health System has partnered with Bright Health to offer health insurance products that use Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine affiliated providers and hospitals as the preferred network.

“As Methodist becomes increasingly accountable for the cost and quality of care we deliver to our patients, we look forward to working with Bright Health through a collaborative partnership with commitment by both organizations to enhance care coordination and deliver the most appropriate care to our patients so they achieve the best possible outcomes,” said Matt Edwards, chief network development officer for Methodist Health System.

Bright Health is introducing two products in the market: a Medicare Advantage plan and an individual/family plan.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans are an
“all in one” alternative to traditional Medicare that includes Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Medicare Part B (Medical insurance) and typically Medicare Part D (prescription drug). The Bright Health Medicare Advantage plan includes all of the original Medicare benefits plus dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans typically have no or low premiums and limits on how much patients pay out of pocket to help them budget and manage health care expenses. 

In Nebraska, there are 350,000 patients eligible for Medicare. Today, Medicare Advantage plans account for less than 20% of the market, but that is projected to be more than 50% by 2025.

Individual/family plans

In the past, individuals purchasing insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange have had limited options in Nebraska. Medica is currently the sole payer on the Marketplace and has offered a variety of Network plans with each health system, including Elevate by Medica, which utilizes the NHN providers and hospitals as the preferred network in both Nebraska and Iowa. Elevate by Medica will continue to be offered as well in 2020.

Bright Health’s model focuses on the care partner relationship to address two of health care’s greatest challenges: offering affordable health care and providing a great consumer experience.

“Part of what makes the Bright Health partnership so attractive is that they will work exclusively with Nebraska Health Network as the preferred care provider in the greater Omaha area,” said Lee J. Handke, PharmD, MBA, chief executive officer of the NHN. "This exclusive partnership means we will work together to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time and with an NHN provider. Based on their success in other markets, we are projecting a 90% in-network inpatient utilization rate."

“When patients stay within the Network, everybody wins,” Dr. Handke said. “By keeping patients within our two health systems, we have greater insight and ability to work with patients to manage their care and keep them healthy.”

A strong marketing presence

Over the next several months, Bright Health will increase its visibility in our market and throughout our health systems. It is launching an integrated marketing campaign that includes direct marketing, public relations and digital, television, print, radio and billboard advertising.

Internally, we are working with our providers and clinics to raise awareness as well. Medicare patients will receive an Affiliation Notice, which complies with CMS regulations and enables us to introduce the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan and the specific benefits of the Bright Health offering. When appropriate, we will have Bright Health representatives and kiosks on-site to help educate and engage patients.

To learn more about Bright Health, visit brighthealthplan.com. If you have specific questions regarding this new partnership, please contact Matt Edwards at @email. To learn more about the NHN, visit nebraskahealthnetwork.com or contact @email.

You can also view this FAQ document for more information.