Alignment Expands Medicare Advantage for Seniors in 3 States

Alignment Healthcare (Alignment) is extending its Medicare Advantage (MA) footprint in Arizona, North Carolina, and Nevada to provide coverage for more senior beneficiaries.

Starting in 2022, Alignment will introduce its MA health plans in Arizona for the first time, with the potential to reach around one million seniors in Pima and Maricopa counties who are eligible for Medicare.

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of coordinated care for the vulnerable senior population,” Rajesh Shrestha, new markets president and chief business officer of Alignment, said in a press release.

“Now, more than ever, it’s critical to make Alignment’s data-driven approach in delivering senior care that is high-touch and personalized available to more seniors. We are committed to bringing our proven model of care to seniors across the country and the expansion in Arizona is a step in the right direction.”

The payer is also expanding its MA plans into 12 additional counties in North Carolina. It currently offers coverage to counties in the Research Triangle and the greater Raleigh area, serving members at some of the country’s largest hospitals. With the new expansion, Alignment will now reach North Carolinian seniors in 15 counties total.

In addition to the current counties of Wake, Johnston, and Chatham, the senior-first plan will extend to Avery, Buncombe, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania, and Wilkes counties, stated the press release.

“Alignment Healthcare has served Medicare Advantage members across North Carolina for years, so bringing our signature health plans to more seniors across the state is a natural next step—especially as seniors look for better coverage options that put their needs front and center,” said Dawn Maroney, markets president of Alignment.

“As the state’s population grows, each and every senior deserves health plans that offer great benefits, great service and great care coordination to create the best possible experience and outcomes for them.”

Lastly, Alignment most recently announced plans to expand its MA health plan to two additional counties in Nevada. The payer first started offering coverage in the state in 2021, serving Clark County seniors, according to the press release. Eligible seniors in Nye and Washoe counties will have access to MA coverage starting in 2022.

Alignment will have to receive regulatory approval before officially becoming available in all of these new markets.

“Beyond offering great health plan options, every day, Alignment Healthcare serves as a ‘doctor in the family,’ addressing care coordination gaps for seniors via our high-touch and high-tech model,” John Kao, chief executive officer and founder of Alignment, stated in a press release.

“Expansion in existing states like Nevada and North Carolina and new states like Arizona, allows Alignment and our provider partners to reach more seniors with this level of personalized care, as we continue to extend our footprint across the country.”

Alignment’s Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits for members such as grocery allowances, quality prescription drug coverage, gym memberships, non-emergency medical transportation, and the payer’s 24/7 ACCESS On-Demand Concierge program that provides personalized, real-time healthcare services, the press releases explained.

Senior Medicare-eligible members in the newly added Arizona, North Carolina, and Nevada counties can select an HMO or PPO Alignment plan starting on October 15, 2021, the start of Medicare’s annual enrollment period. Coverage for these plans will go into effect on January 1, 2022.

In August 2020, Alignment expanded its Medicare Advantage coverage by launching a virtual plan. The plan emphasized digital, concierge-style solutions for primary care and specialty care services. This two-way engagement service was helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed members to manage their healthcare needs independently.

Ahead of its MA health plan expansions, Alignment filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in March 2021.