Henry Ford Health System Payer Arm Acquires Detroit Medicaid Plan

June 11, 2019 - Henry Ford Health System and Health Alliance Plan (HAP) will be acquiring Trusted HP – Michigan, a Detroit-based Medicaid plan currently serving nearly 9,000 beneficiaries, the organizations announced.

The acquisition, which HAP said should be finalized by the end of the summer, will allow Trusted HP – Michigan to expand its covered populations. Additionally, the move should improve care coordination for Medicaid populations, a factor that data shows is essential to beneficiary satisfaction.

HAP is the health plan subsidiary of Henry Ford Health System, and their partnership will help drive better care quality for the most vulnerable patient populations.

"We are thrilled to announce a return to offering a Medicaid option that serves the people of metro Detroit," said Wright L. Lassiter III, the president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. "As both a health insurer and healthcare provider, we are uniquely positioned to offer seamless, holistic care and coverage to our Medicaid population – a fully integrated approach focusing on quality and efficiency that creates lasting value for our patients and members."

The acquisition will also give HAP the resources necessary to create more targeted programming for its beneficiaries, said Terri Kline, the president and CEO at HAP. Collaboration between payer and provider will likewise allow for this.

"True integration between provider and payer is extremely important to our Medicaid population," Kline explained. "We also know how critical it is to understand our members' individual needs and concerns. By uniting our dedication to both, we are creating something truly exceptional for the people of southeast Michigan and we are so excited to welcome these new members into the HAP family."

Currently, HAP serves 570,000 beneficiaries across Michigan, and will add Trusted HP – Michigan’s beneficiaries to HAP’s region 10, which serves Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.

In addition to healthcare offerings at Henry Ford Health System, enrolled beneficiaries may access HAP Empowered, which offers specialized healthcare offerings such as additional supports for those impacted by the water crisis in Flint or children enrolled in other childhood Medicaid programs.

HAP also serves 4,500 dual-eligible beneficiaries in Wayne and Macomb Counties.

"Our team of clinically grounded physician leaders have been instrumental in finding ways to offer our members access to programs that help them stay or become healthy," said Michael Genord, MD, chief medical officer of HAP and president and CEO of HAP Midwest Health Plan.

"We work diligently with our Medicaid members to be able to afford and to understand health insurance. That is an essential aspect of our commitment to the health and wellness of our members – especially our most vulnerable populations."

The transition is slated to be a smooth one, HAP assured.

Beneficiaries currently enrolled in Trusted HP – Michigan will still be able to visit their current providers and keep their same ID cards, HAP said. Additionally, Trusted HP – Michigan employees will be transitioned to the HAP team.

The acquisition aims to boost patient care, putting beneficiaries at the center, according to Tommy Duncan, who is CEO of Trust Health Plan, Inc., Trusted HP – Michigan’s parent company.

"We are excited for our members,” Duncan said. “HAP is committed to providing quality healthcare services to the members and community by offering member-focused care, as well as enhanced access to programs by a team dedicated to the members' health and wellness.”