Oscar Announces Partnerships With Leading Chicago Area Health Systems to Offer Affordable Health Insurance and Care

Rhea-AI Summary

Oscar Health has partnered with Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine to provide Individual and Family health insurance plans in Chicago, starting January 1, 2022. This collaboration enables residents access to over 21 hospitals and 17,000 physicians. Oscar's digital tools offer savings and enhanced healthcare experiences, such as $0 Virtual Urgent Care visits and Tier 1 prescriptions. The initiative comes as a response to increased healthcare needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Positive

• Partnerships with four leading health systems enhance service offerings.
• Access to extensive provider network with over 21 hospitals and 17,000 physicians.
• Innovative digital tools providing $0 Virtual Urgent Care and Tier 1 prescriptions.

Negative

• None.

• Oscar Announces Partnerships with Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine to offer seamlessly connected health insurance and care in Chicago, IL.
• Oscar Individual and Family plans will be offered through the ACA marketplace throughout the Chicago region, including Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties.
• Members will receive high-quality care provided by leading Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Medicine, and other community providers who are dedicated to improving clinical outcomes, enhancing experience, and reducing costs. The combined network will offer members more than 21 hospitals and more than 17,000 physicians throughout the service area.
• Members receive savings and an enhanced experience through Oscar’s digital tools, including dedicated Care Teams and 24/7 access to Oscar Virtual Urgent Care providers at $0¹, and $0 Tier 1 prescriptions – an expanded offering in 2021.²

 

NEW YORK & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oscar Health, Inc. (“Oscar”) (NYSE: OSCR), the first health insurance company built on a full stack technology platform, announced today that it’s partnering with four leading Chicago area health systems: Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine. These partnerships will make Oscar’s Individual and Family health insurance plans available to individuals across Chicago beginning 2022, including Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties, pending regulatory approval.

Through these relationships, Chicago area consumers will have access to a seamlessly connected provider health plan experience. The Chicago health system’s leading network of providers coupled with Oscar’s consumer-centric, tech-driven approach to customer service and care navigation, will foster a convenient, holistic member health journey.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Medicine and other providers in the market as a way of bringing greater access to affordable, personalized care to residents across the Chicago region,” said Tamara Ward, Oscar Senior Vice President. “We know the need is great and we feel well-equipped to serve the Chicago area in collaboration with our provider partners.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the need for access to high-quality health care is imperative. This need comes at a time when unemployment rates are increasing and more individuals are becoming vulnerable. In Illinois alone, up to 13 percent of residents may be uninsured due to COVID-19 related job loss. During the upcoming Open Enrollment period, Chicago residents who live in Oscar's coverage area will be able to purchase Oscar Individual and Family health plans which include affordable coverage of Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine’s network of high-quality providers and services.

These health plans are anticipated to be sold on the federal health insurance exchange, with coverage to begin on January 1, 2022. Pending regulatory approvals, the new partnership plans and care will include:

• Health care coverage designed around each members’ needs.
  • Care that's close to home. Access to Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine’s extensive network of providers will be accessible across metro communities.
  • Personalized Care Teams. Members will experience Oscar’s personalized approach to health insurance through their dedicated team of Care Guides and clinicians who understand their medical history and can help them navigate their health plan benefits. This team can also help schedule appointments with in-network providers and also works to collaborate with those providers to deliver a seamless member experience driving total cost of care savings.
  • Oscar members have 24/7 access to Oscar Virtual Urgent Care Providers at $0 for whenever a member needs to see a doctor quickly.³ Tier 1 prescriptions are $0 when prescribed by Oscar Virtual Urgent Care providers, too.⁴

• Easy-to-access specialty, pharmacy, and wellness benefits designed to deliver savings.
  • Affordable coverage of Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine’s comprehensive medical services across all major specialty areas of care, maternity, orthopedics, and oncology – with no referral needed.
  • Pharmaceutical benefits beyond Virtual Urgent Care such as the $3 Prescriptions Drug Formulary, which includes 100 of the most commonly-prescribed medications for $3 or less.⁵
  • Convenient tools and perks like the Oscar App, Oscar Step Tracking, and more.

Oscar, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine look forward to delivering a better, affordable health care experience which fits the lives of Chicago members in 2022 and beyond.

About Oscar Health

Oscar Health, Inc. (“Oscar”) is the first health insurance company built around a full stack technology platform and a relentless focus on serving its members. At Oscar, our mission is to make a healthier life accessible and affordable for all. Headquartered in New York City, Oscar has been challenging the health care system's status quo since our founding in 2012. The company’s member-first philosophy and innovative approach to care has earned us the trust of approximately 560,000 members as of June 30, 2021. We offer Individual & Family, Small Group and Medicare Advantage plans, and +Oscar, our full stack technology platform to others within the provider and payor space. Our vision is to refactor health care to make good care cost less. Refactor is a term used in software engineering that means to improve the design, structure, and implementation of the software, while preserving its functionality. At Oscar, we take this definition a step further. We improve our members’ experience by building trust through deep engagement, personalized guidance, and rapid iteration.

¹ If you’re away from home, this benefit is not available in US territories or internationally.
²Tier 1 prescriptions and labs are $0 when arranged by an Oscar Virtual Primary Care Provider. Some Tier 1 prescriptions are unavailable via virtual visits. Other exclusions may apply.
³ If you’re away from home, this benefit is not available in US territories or internationally.
⁴Tier 1 prescriptions are $0 when arranged by an Oscar Virtual Primary Care Provider. Some Tier 1 prescriptions are unavailable via virtual visits. Other exclusions may apply.
⁵Available as a pre-deductible benefit on all Oscar Individual and Family plans in Kansas City except for Silver and Bronze High Deductible Savings Plans.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210930005021/en/

Jackie Kahn, Oscar

202-538-0128

jkahn@hioscar.com

Source: Oscar Health, Inc.

FAQ

What recent partnerships has Oscar Health announced?

Oscar Health has announced partnerships with Edward-Elmhurst Health, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and University of Chicago Medicine.

When will Oscar Health's new plans be available in Chicago?

The new Individual and Family health insurance plans will be available starting January 1, 2022.

How many hospitals and physicians will Oscar Health members have access to?

Members will have access to over 21 hospitals and more than 17,000 physicians.

What benefits do Oscar Health's plans offer?

The plans offer $0 access to Virtual Urgent Care and $0 Tier 1 prescriptions among other benefits.

What prompted Oscar Health to expand its services in Chicago?

The expansion is in response to increased healthcare needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising unemployment.