- Peoples Health said that current beneficiaries should not expect any changes in their Peoples Health Medicare Advantage plans in 2018 and should expect stability in their plans and benefits.
- UnitedHealthcare officials said that Peoples Health leadership will remain in their current roles and they will maintain open and regular communication with employees as the transaction is completed.
Peoples Health, a Metairie-based Medicare Advantage Plan provider, confirmed Thursday (June 7) that it has entered into an agreement to be purchased by UnitedHealthcare, a managed healthcare company and the largest health insurer in the U.S.
A spokesperson for Peoples Health confirmed the agreement with UnitedHealthcare, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and issued the following statement:
“Joining with UnitedHealthcare preserves our foundation as a local company with deep ties to Louisiana while creating greater stability and enhancing what we offer to the people we serve. There’s no better partner for us as we look to navigate a rapidly changing industry and grow into an even stronger health plan.”
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
UnitedHealthcare also confirmed the agreement, which is pending regulatory approvals, and said in a statement: “Our joining together will lead to an expanded choice of affordable plan options for Louisiana seniors and build on Peoples Health’s high-touch, personalized approach to taking care of members.”
Peoples Health currently employs approximately 850 people. The company said in a statement that both companies are committed to “keeping things business as usual for Peoples Health and UnitedHealthcare’s Louisiana-based employees so they can remain focused on serving members.”
Peoples Health said that current beneficiaries should not expect any changes in their Peoples Health Medicare Advantage plans in 2018 and should expect stability in their plans and benefits.
The company has reported 63,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Louisiana.
Peoples Health members can continue to call the phone number on the back of their Peoples Health member ID cards if they have any questions about their coverage and can continue accessing care from facilities and physicians in their provider network, according to their statement.
UnitedHealthcare already has a major presence in Louisiana, employing approximately 700 people in the state and providing care for 876,000 residents through Medicare, Medicaid and employer-sponsored plans, according to the company.
UnitedHealthcare officials said that Peoples Health leadership will remain in their current roles and they will maintain open and regular communication with employees as the transaction is completed.
The company confirmed in a statement that Peoples Health Medicare Advantage members will not see any changes in their plans and benefits in 2018, including plan names, benefits and provider network.
Date: June 07, 2018