Dive Brief:
- Some members of UnitedHealthcareGroup will now have more options when it comes to doctors and hospitals.
- United signed a deal with Kaleida Health in New York for in-network care for its Medicaid and Child Health Plus Members.
- There has been no mention yet of the deal eventually extending to United's commercial members.
Dive Insight:
Although United serves more than $3.8 million members in New York, it's membership is relatively small in the region where Kaleida operates.
Kaleida offered in-network access to United members at one time, but the deal fell through in 2007. According to Buffalo Business First, officials have been saying for some time that the two entities reaching some sort of new agreement was critical to United growing its company in Western New York.
Jody Lomeo, preseident and CEO for Kalaida said that the deal will bring additional patients into the Kaleida system while helping the system to better meet its mission of advancing the health of the larger community.