Clintonville’s staff on Network Health Plan
By Bert Lehman
The city of Clintonville will be affected by ThedaCare’s decision to end its participation in Network Health Plan as of June 31, 2016.
ThedaCare made the announcement in a Dec. 15 press release.
The press release stated that ThedaCare’s decision would affect Network Health Plan members across the 14-county region that ThedaCare serves. Those affected include those “currently enrolled in commercial and Medicare Advantage products that provide access to ThedaCare physicians, hospitals, clinics, labs and other services.”
The city of Clintonville has health insurance for its employees through Network Health Plan.
ThedaCare also stated in the press release that it is in discussions with Network Health Plan to extend its participation through Dec. 31, 2016, to allow time for plan members to enroll in new plans.
“Additionally, continuity of care guidelines may apply, allowing Network Health Plan members to retain their ThedaCare primary care physician for up to a year, and to access their specialist physician(s) and hospital care for an additional 90 days,” the press release stated.
“This was a carefully considered decision. Changes in market dynamics and business relationships spurred this course of action,” said Bill Mann, senior vice president of Payer and Employer Strategies for ThedaCare. “While we understand this action will prompt change for some Network Health Plan members, we have high service expectations and fully believe our customers will be well served by the insurance companies with which we have partnered, such as Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, WPS or Humana. Our quality of care, superior expertise in managing complex conditions, top-notch physicians, community-orientation and overall value remain available in other health plans.”
On Dec. 16, Network Health posted the following statement on its Facebook page, “As many of you have heard, ThedaCare has chosen to end our long-standing relationship. It’s unfortunate a business decision made by ThedaCare’s executives will disrupt relationships between our members and their physicians. We are disappointed but will continue to participate in partnerships that will best help our community find ways to lead healthier and happier lives. Northeast Wisconsin members will receive letters explaining the situation. The network we have built will remain exceedingly strong giving members access to Wisconsin’s premier health care providers.”
City of Clintonville Clerk Treasurer Peggy Johnson confirmed to the Tribune-Gazette on Dec. 17 that the city has been notified by ThedaCare about the change, and it was waiting for notice from Network Health. She said the city is working through the situation as information becomes available.