Meritain Health Enters Accountable Care Collaboration with Banner Health Network and Aetna Whole Health

--This announcement represents an industry-leading achievement with Meritain Health, a third party administrator, offering carrier-level access to an Accountable Care Organization--

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Meritain Health, an Aetna (NYSE: AET) company, announced their collaboration with Banner Health Network (BHN) and Aetna Whole Health^SM, a commercial healthcare product that provides members access to highly coordinated care from physicians and facilities in accountable care networks across the country.

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Meritain Health will collaborate with the Banner Health Network in Phoenix, Arizona, to provide an industry-leading carrier-level ACO product using Aetna Whole Health. Banner Health Network is able to serve Meritain Health members in a highly coordinated fashion through their fully integrated care delivery system combined with an enhanced electronic medical records system.

An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) uses technology and a team-based approach to care for a population of patients. Doctors and hospitals assume accountability for the outcomes and are rewarded financially for achieving higher quality, greater efficiency and an overall better patient experience. It provides value-based, data-driven, patient-centered care that rewards quality over quantity.

Mark Schmidt, vice president of Prodigy Health, parent company of Meritain Health, said, “We feel this collaboration is an excellent fit for Meritain Health. It is in alignment with our flexible approach to healthcare and supports our vision to be Advocates for Healthier Living. By having ACOs as a part of our customer offerings, we can go even further in leveraging the healthcare system both effectively and efficiently,” says Schmidt. “This will allow us to provide value-alternatives to our clients that offer improved care, improved health of the patients and reduced costs for the employer and its covered members.”

“We have found that Meritain Health is particularly well-aligned with our Triple Aim goals of better patient care and experience at an affordable price,” said Lisa Stevens Anderson, chief executive officer for Banner Health Network. “When payers and providers work collaboratively, new innovative solutions develop for our plan sponsors and their membership.”

Meritain Health members accessing the Aetna Whole Health and Banner Health Networks will:

• Pay less out of pocket.
• Benefit from a focus on prevention.
• Receive more coordinated care and greater assistance with managing their chronic conditions.
• Have access to the services of the largest healthcare provider in Arizona.

About Banner Health Network

Banner Health Network (BHN) has been designed to provide a highly-coordinated patient care experience for beneficiaries of government and private sector insurance plans. BHN is comprised of 4,000 Banner Health-affiliated providers, 15 Banner Health hospitals in Arizona's Maricopa County and beyond, plus a wide variety of other clinical services. With a population health management focus, and a highly developed health information management system, BHN seeks to provide high quality care, and an excellent member experience at an affordable price. Parent company, Banner Health, is one of the largest non-profit health systems in the country. To learn more, go to BannerHealthNetwork.com.

About Meritain Health

At Meritain Health, an independent subsidiary of Aetna, we are advocates for healthier living. As one of the nation’s largest administrators of health benefits, we offer the resources of a national carrier and the unmatched flexibility and service of an independent, local administrator. Our approach provides employers with cost-effective plan administration within a custom framework of variable networks, industry-leading products and services, and cost management strategies. For more information, visit www.meritain.com.

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Meritain Media Contact:

Shannon Griffith, 813-715-1001

[email protected]

or

Aetna Media Contact:

Anjie Coplin, 214-200-8056

[email protected]

Source: Aetna