Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Humana & Oak Street Extend Alliance to Improve Primary Care

Read MoreHide Full Article

Humana Inc. (HUM - Free Report) recently joined forces with Oak Street Health to provide proactive care that is tailored to suit the needs of its Medicare beneficiaries. Under the deal, four primary care practices will be added to Humana’s Medicare Advantage Plan networks in Indiana and Michigan. These new primary care practices would ensure better quality of care and help patients to take care of their own health and well being.

Notably, the four practices are in addition to the two practices that Humana gained from Oak Street in 2015, when the duo teamed up for the first time. These newly added practices include a care team comprising doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and medical records experts to keep notes of developments. It also comprises a care team for maximum face-to-face time with members to keep track of their health issues. A care manager has been appointed to assist patients in connecting with community resources. The practices also extend the scope of visiting any of the care centers without a prior appointment and receiving consultation on the same day.

Other than these services, Oak Street Health will offer aesthetically beautiful and spacious community rooms for patients to assemble for daily events and classes. Staff familiarity with the member’s Medicare Advantage insurance would be an added advantage.

Oak Street’s primary care practices, when combined with Humana’s certain advanced Medicare Advantage plans, would ensure premium quality of health care services for patients. The cases and the issues that emerge during the process would be dealt by the companies on a regular basis to minimize the risk of compromising with the patients’ health.

Management at Oak Street has expressed optimism about the alliance with Humana. The insurer’s command on outstanding health care experience is expected to largely benefit the patients Fort Wayne and Detroit and also help Oak Street to expand operations in Indianapolis. On the other hand, Oak Street’s assistance ensures added strength to Humana’s already solid Medicare history.

Currently, Humana has 1.7 million individual Medicare Advantage members and 200,000 commercial members treated by 48,200 primary care providers in more than 900 value-based relationships across 43 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. In addition, roughly 61% of Humana individual Medicare Advantage members are in value-based payment relationships. The company further plans to have 75% of individual Medicare Advantage members in value-based payment models by the end of 2017.

Zacks Rank and Stocks To Consider

Humana presently carries Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Investors interested in the same industry can also consider stocks like UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH - Free Report) , WellCare Health Plans Inc. and The Joint Corp (JYNT - Free Report) . These stocks also carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Confidential from Zacks

Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>>


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) - free report >>

Humana Inc. (HUM) - free report >>

The Joint Corp. (JYNT) - free report >>

Published in