NASHVILLE – Saint Thomas Health and Oscar, a consumer-focused, technology-driven insurance startup based in New York, have signed a collaboration agreement to offer patients easy-to-use, high quality, and affordable individual insurance, effective Jan. 1, 2018. Saint Thomas Health is part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.
Middle Tennesseans who purchase their coverage from the Marketplace, both on and off the exchange, and choose Oscar for healthcare coverage will have access to receive their care from Saint Thomas Health and Saint Thomas Medical Partners, with the open enrollment period beginning Nov. 1, 2017.
“At Saint Thomas Health, our mission is 100 percent access to care for all persons,” said Karen Springer, President and CEO of Saint Thomas Health, Senior Vice President of Ascension Healthcare. “We are working with Oscar to continue providing personalized care to our communities, with special attention to those most vulnerable.”
Oscar’s platform, which combines an intuitive smartphone app and website with a personalized Concierge Team service, makes it easier for members to navigate their healthcare needs by putting health data and resources all in one place. To complement its consumer-focused technology approach, Oscar integrates deeply with providers to ensure members have access to excellent care. The collaboration aligns Saint Thomas Health and Oscar’s shared vision to make healthcare an easier, more reliable and affordable experience for their members through technology and connected care.
“One way we enhance the patient experience in the healthcare system is by integrating closely with providers who share our vision,” said Mario Schlosser, CEO of Oscar Health. “Saint Thomas is a patient-first institution and we are looking forward to working alongside their clinicians to deliver accessible, high-quality care to Nashville residents.”
Every member will have access to be matched with both a Saint Thomas Medical Partners Care Team, comprised of a primary care physician, advanced practitioner and other allied health professionals, and an Oscar Health Concierge Team, made up of a nurse and three care guides. These clinical and concierge teams will work together to ensure that each member’s health and wellness needs are proactively met.
Anytime members seek care, they will be able to have the option of the Saint Thomas network of practices, Care Centers, Express Care sites or online video chat with a medical professional and Oscar’s Virtual Visits with no co-pay. Smartphone technology will help analyze members’ health needs, understand their care options and costs, and guide them to the right medical options.
“We continue to redesign the way our community experiences healthcare through innovative, collaborative efforts focused on proactively managing the health of individuals and families,” said Fahad Tahir, President and CEO of Saint Thomas Medical Partners. “Our participation in the Oscar network, in addition to newly opened and planned Care Centers across Middle Tennessee, expands our existing access points with additional options for affordable care in 2018.”
For information on available plans and to enroll, visit www.hioscar.com.
