BayCare Health System Partners with Lumeris to Offer Value-Based, Patient-Centered Medicare Advantage Plan in 2019

ST. LOUIS, MO/CLEARWATER, FL— March 27, 2018 — Lumeris, the industry leader in value-based care solutions, today announced a new strategic partnership with BayCare Health System, the largest not-for-profit health care provider in the Tampa Bay area. Lumeris will manage the day-to-day operations for BayCare Plus, BayCare’s new Medicare Advantage (MA) plan launching in January 2019.

BayCare Health System, which is located in one of the nation’s fastest growing Medicare markets, selected Lumeris based on the company’s extensive experience working with providers to develop, operationalize and execute on value-based care managed services strategies, including MA plans.  Lumeris has a proven track record of improving outcomes, engaging physicians and increasing patient satisfaction.

“Lumeris impressed us with their depth of Medicare Advantage expertise and their strong knowledge of how to implement these strategies effectively to improve the health of populations,” said Jim Beermann, president of BayCare Select Health Plans, Inc. “Adding insurance will encourage our providers to focus on wellness and caring for patients, not just when they are sick but 365 days a year. This partnership will enable us to do just that and find optimal patient outcomes with the most efficient use of resources.”

Lumeris has more than 10 years of experience working with Medicare Advantage plans and providers and has developed a Best in KLAS® care delivery model that emphasizes patient wellness and the pursuit of the Triple Aim Plus One, defined as better health outcomes, lower costs and improved patient experience, plus physician satisfaction. Lumeris’ data-driven, collaborative care delivery model consistently improves clinical outcomes and financial results.

“We are delighted to partner with a leading healthcare organization like BayCare Health System in such an important Medicare Advantage market,” commented Mike Long, chairman and CEO of Lumeris. “We will build on BayCare’s strong relationships with its physicians and its ties to the community to help the health system and other providers in its integrated network make the transition to value-based care, while improving the health of seniors across the Tampa Bay area.”

BayCare has obtained a state insurance license to offer its health plan in four Florida counties, and it has submitted a Medicare Advantage plan application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Meanwhile, Lumeris is helping the organization to build a broader network that includes physicians and hospitals outside the BayCare system to ensure additional access for future Medicare Advantage plan members.

Ross Armstrong, Lumeris’ senior vice president for the region, said, “BayCare selected Lumeris as its partner because of our proven methodology and our understanding of how to align provider and payer incentives. We will help BayCare create and operate a fully integrated delivery network that not only takes responsibility for improving the health of patients but also for reducing the cost of care and increasing efficiency. That is where healthcare is heading—and BayCare will be leading the way.”

ABOUT BAYCARE HEALTH SYSTEM

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The health system’s inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. BayCare’s mission is to improve the health of all the patients it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.BayCare.org. 

ABOUT LUMERIS

Lumeris serves as a long-term operating partner for organizations that are committed to the transition from volume-to value-based care and delivering extraordinary clinical and financial outcomes. We guide health systems and providers through seamless transitions from volume to value, enabling them to deliver improved and more affordable care across populations—with better outcomes. And, we work collaboratively with payers to align contracts and engage physicians in programs that drive high-quality, cost-effective care with satisfied consumers—and engaged physicians.

An industry recognized leader, Lumeris won the 2018 Best in KLAS award for value-based care managed services for helping clients deliver improved clinical and financial outcomes. This was the third year it received this distinguished award. For the past seven years, Essence Healthcare, Lumeris’ inaugural client with more than 65,000 members in Missouri and Illinois, has received 4.5 to 5 Stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Lumeris is committed to delivering these same results with its multi-payer/multi-population clients to meet their goals and missions.