American Health Advantage of Missouri announced Thursday that John Knox Village in Lee’s Summit, MO has become the newest locally managed partner in its provider-owned Medicare Advantage institutional special needs plan (I-SNP).
I-SNPs are Medicare Advantage plans designed specifically for people who live in participating long-term care communities. The plans deliver a coordinated care model meant to address all needed medical treatment and preventive services.
“We’re thrilled to enter into a partnership to expand our Missouri based provider-owner I-SNP with John Knox Village, which is one of the most respected life plan retirement communities in the country,” said Hank Watson, chief development officer at American Health Plans. “John Knox Village’s commitment to providing its residents with access to the clinical benefits of the I-SNP Medicare Advantage plan make the organization a natural partner with the other providers in the plan.”
John Knox Village becomes the fifth i-SNP Medicare Advantage partner for American Health Advantage of Missouri, joining Tutera Health, Stonebridge Senior Living, Lutheran Senior Service and Bethesda Health Group in embracing the provider-owned i-SNP model. This model increases medical services at the point of care with the goal of improving health outcomes; generating a reliable, shared revenue stream; and helping to reduce wasteful healthcare spending. American Health Advantage of Missouri is expanding beyond the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas and now operates in 23 counties in Missouri.
“John Knox Village is always seeking new and better ways to provide care for residents and patients,” said Rodney McBride, vice president of health and community services for the operator. “Being able to offer Village Care Center residents a new Medicare Advantage plan that is designed specifically for those living in a long-term care setting is a great opportunity.”
McBride said that although most Medicare Advantage plans’ added features are intended to help participants to stay active and independent, this plan offers useful advantages such as additional care provided by dedicated on-site nurse practitioners; transportation; and a waiver of some of the usual hospital stay requirements for coverage of skilled nursing services in a nursing home.”
“Through partnerships, these Missouri-based providers have come together to offer their residents a unique model of care within their facilities,” said Shiloh Kukuljan, executive director, American Health Advantage of Missouri. “Our TruHealth clinical team coordinates comprehensive, bed-side care that helps members stay healthier, which reduces unnecessary hospitalizations and improves overall well-being and quality of life for residents.”
Earlier this month, Medica Advantage Solution – PartnerCare plan from nonprofit health plan Medica and geriatric medical practice and care management organization Genevive announced that 10 additional senior living and care facilities had joined its I-SNP. Among other Medicare Advantage plan special partnerships that have formed in recent years are Toledo, OH-based real estate investment trust Welltower’s collaboration with CareMore and Bloomfield, NJ-based Juniper Communities’ partnership with AllyAlign Health.
