CHS Signs Contract with Humana Medicare ChoiceCare
May 24, 2010
CHARLOTTE -- Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) has signed a contract to provide services to members covered by Humana’s Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and contracted PFFS (private fee for service) plans. These Medicare Advantage plans, offered by Humana’s ChoiceCare Network, include lower out-of-pocket expenses and more benefits than traditional Medicare coverage, including preventive care, prescription drug coverage and routine vision care.
The multi-year agreement, effective June 1, 2010, expands access to CHS’s network of more than 1,500 employed physicians in North and South Carolina, as well as 29 of the 32 hospitals affiliated with CHS. The agreement also includes providers of home health services, dialysis, skilled nursing care, durable medical equipment and other services.
Russ Guerin, Executive Vice President for Business Development and Planning at CHS, said CHS looks forward to the opportunity to serve an increased number of patients at CHS hospitals, physician practices and outpatient facilities.
“I believe that all of the eligible participants in these Medicare Advantage plans will be pleased with the quality and convenience of services available within the CHS network, along with the caring and compassion of our employees, " Guerin said. "That has certainly been the case with those covered by Humana’s commercial plans.”
Jim Laughlin, Humana Southeast Region Senior Products Market President, said, “We’re very excited to add Carolinas HealthCare System to our expanding network of hospitals and healthcare providers in North and South Carolina. This new agreement significantly strengthens our Medicare provider network and enables us to better serve the thousands of seniors who live in these communities in the Carolinas.”
North Carolinians who wish to inquire about the availability and benefits of Humana Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and contracted PFFS plans can speak to a licensed Humana agent by calling Humana toll-free at 800-336-6801.
About Carolinas HealthCare System
Carolinas HealthCare System, one of the leading healthcare organizations in the Southeast, includes 32 affiliated hospitals in North and South Carolina. CHS provides continuing medical attention to patients through a network of some 500 care locations including physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and other facilities. These operations comprise more than 1,500 employed physicians, 6,300 licensed beds and 48,000 people.
Carolinas Medical Center, an 874-bed hospital in Charlotte, includes a Level I Trauma Center, a research institute and numerous specialty units (heart, cancer, organ transplant, behavioral health, etc.). CMC also serves as one of North Carolina’s five Academic Medical Center Teaching Hospitals, providing graduate medical education for more than 250 physicians in 18 specialties.
Levine Children’s Hospital has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Other CMC hospitals have also been honored by J.D. Power and Associates for maternity, emergency and in-patient services. Carolinas HealthCare’s “community benefit,” which includes the value of indigent care, uncompensated medical services, education, research and charitable contributions, totals more than $835 million annually.
About Humana Inc.
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 10.4 million medical members and 7.2 million specialty members. Humana is a full-service benefits solutions company, offering a wide array of health and supplemental benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals.
Humana is one of the largest Medicare health benefits companies in North and South Carolina, with more than 130,000 Medicare members in North Carolina and more than 60,000 Medicare members in South Carolina, including a total of nearly 100,000 Medicare Advantage members in the two states.
Over its 49-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.
