Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare Health System will launch a Medicare Advantage plan for Florida residents next year.
The 15-hospital nonprofit system is the latest healthcare organization to dip its feet in Florida's lucrative Medicare Advantage market. Earlier in March, Centene Corp., which offers government-sponsored plans, signed a definitive agreement to buy Community Medical Group, an at-risk primary care provider serving 70,000 government-insured beneficiaries in Florida.
In December 2017, Anthem acquired HealthSun, a Medicare Advantage health insurance company serving beneficiaries in Florida.
The BayCare Plus Medicare Advantage plan will roll out in January 2019. As of March 27, BayCare has a state license to sell its BayCare Plus plan in four Florida counties. It also submitted a Medicare Advantage plan application with CMS.
Until the plan is approved, value-based solutions provider Lumeris, which will manage operations for the plan, is helping BayCare build out its provider network. BayCare intends to extend its network to hospitals and systems outside of the BayCare umbrella.
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