TUCSON, Ariz. (Aug. 4, 2023) - The Integral Health Network of Southern Arizona, LLC (IHNSA), a high- performance network of integrated behavioral health, medical, and social care providers, today
announced the launch of a new Alternative Payment Model (APM) with Banner – University Health Plans (B – UHP) that will connect 8,000 members with acute and chronic behavioral health conditions with IHNSA’s integrated system of care.
This innovative model of integrating primary, behavioral, and social care aims to engage members with complex care needs, improve the holistic wellbeing of those members, and lower the total cost of care for health plans. “This APM agreement deepens our relationship with B – UHP and our joint
commitment to ensuring our most vulnerable population has coordinated access to medical, behavioral health, and social care” stated Laura Larson-Huffaker, CEO of Horizon Health and Wellness, a member of IHNSA.
Co-morbid behavioral health and physical health illness accelerates disease trajectory and cost payers, managed care organizations, and accountable care organizations 3.5 times more than solitary
conditions. Furthermore, of the most expensive 10% of the population that account for 70% of total healthcare costs, almost 60% of that population has a behavioral health co-morbidity.
The ONEcare model brings together a multi-specialty integrated system of care to make care convenient and proactive; removing obstacles that limit member engagement in preventative care and treatment. Leveraging Alera Health’s Care Optimization System, the member’s care team can share referrals, clinical information, and care alerts; while the patient can use the ONEtouch mobile app to schedule appointments and connect with a clinician in times of crisis. IHNSA will earn incentives for increasing preventative care activities and lowering the overall costs of care.
Integral Health Network of Southern Arizona, LLC (IHNSA) was organized as a clinically integrated network in 2021 to provide integrated, coordinated care for patients suffering from a primary and secondary behavioral health conditions and living in southern Arizona. The IHNSA network (including CODAC Health, Recovery & Wellness, Inc., Hope Inc., La Frontera Arizona, Inc., Horizon Health and
Wellness, and Community Bridges, Inc.) provides a multi-disciplinary array of services including psychiatry, therapy, primary care, care management, crisis services, residential, housing, and social services. IHNSA affiliates with a number of inpatient, emergency departments, primary, and social care organizations.
Banner – University Health Plans (B – UHP) is a locally owned health plan and is a recognized Medicaid managed care leader. Launched in 1985, B – UHP began as a Medicaid contractor and has expanded operations to include Medicaid, Medicare, and integrated behavioral health (BH) services across
Arizona. B – UHP owns and operates: Banner – University Family Care/ACC, Banner – University Family Care/ALTCS, and Banner Medicare Advantage and includes more than 340,000 lives in Arizona.
Committed to serving vulnerable populations, B – UHP is the only Arizona plan that holds membership in the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, a national trade association for nonprofit Safety Net
Health Plans that are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of lower income people and/or people with significant health needs. Parent company, Banner Health, is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, with operations in six states.
Alera Health, a national leader in Population Health Management and Integrated Care, works closely with healthcare payers, providers, and community partners to operationalize and manage high-
performance ONEcare networks delivering comprehensive, inclusive, and informed whole person care
designed to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Alera Health has extensive operational expertise in developing clinically integrated networks, population health analytics, care coordination technologies, and clinical quality improvement programs. Each ONEcare network is augmented by the Care Optimization System which allows real-time communication, referrals, and mobile patient engagement.
With over 3 million managed lives across the US, ONEcare networks diverted over 250,000 unnecessary inpatient bed days in 2022 while lowering 30-day readmission rates by over 50%.
For further information contact us at: media@bannerhealth.com