Centene Announces Partnership With North Carolina Medical Society And North Carolina Community Health Center Association To Offer Unique Approach To Medicaid Reform In North Carolina

PR Newswire

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement with the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS), working in conjunction with the North Carolina Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA), to collaborate on a patient-focused approach to Medicaid under the reform plan enacted in the state of North Carolina.

Under the agreement, the organization will create a joint venture, Carolina Complete Health, to establish, organize and operate a physician-led health plan to provide Medicaid managed care services in North Carolina. A key feature of the joint venture will be the active participation of physicians in the ownership and governance of the health plan. Centene will manage the financial and daily operations, while the Carolina Complete Health Network, which will be owned jointly by NCMS, physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Federally Qualified Health Centers, will provide medical management services, hold a majority on the Board of Directors and oversee the medical policies for the health plan.

"With the changes taking place in our health care system at the state level with Medicaid reform and new programs at the national level, the NCMS remains committed to ensuring that physicians are the ones making the clinical decisions in the best interest of their patients," said NCMS CEO Robert W. Seligson. "Our leadership views this partnership as a unique opportunity to help lead the reform process and to put patients' needs first."

When the General Assembly in September 2015 passed Medicaid reform legislation privatizing the state's Medicaid program, the NCMS began to proactively pursue opportunities to keep patients at the forefront. The NCMS established key criteria for a partnership including financial strength, experience with statewide Medicaid networks and an openness to a patient-focused approach.

"Centene is pleased to enter into this partnership with the NCMS and NCCHCA to serve Medicaid recipients in North Carolina," said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO for Centene. "We believe this physician-directed health plan can be an ideal model when properly executed to ensure providers are leading health care decisions and contributing toward a value-based reimbursement system that results in better health outcomes for members at a lower cost to the state. We have seen this type of health plan model work, and we look forward to bringing this approach to North Carolina."

Moving forward, the NCCHCA will serve as an integral part in making the joint venture a success.

"North Carolina Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are key providers of primary care services to Medicaid recipients across North Carolina. The patient-centered medical home model at FQHCs, and their focus on providing a broad spectrum of services to low-income and underserved populations, make them uniquely prepared to meet the state's Medicaid reform goals. NCCHCA believes partnering with the North Carolina Medical Society and Centene will enable FQHCs to work more closely with physician specialists and health systems in their local communities to improve patient continuity of care, quality and cost," said NCCHCA CEO E. Benjamin Money, Jr.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise that provides a portfolio of services to government sponsored healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and Long Term Care (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored programs, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly known as "Part D"), as well as programs with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Centene operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health management, care management software, correctional healthcare services, dental benefits management, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

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