Hudson Health Plan to join MVP Health Care family of companies

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and SCHENECTADY, N.Y., May 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MVP Health Care^® (MVP) and Hudson Health Plan (Hudson) announced today that they have signed an agreement under which Hudson, a Tarrytown-based Medicaid managed care organization, will join the MVP family of companies. Both Hudson and MVP are nationally recognized not-for-profit health plans. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

"MVP Health Care and Hudson Health Plan together will create a stronger combined company committed to serving Medicaid managed care and Child Health Plus members, and continuing our long-standing relationships in the Hudson Valley," said Denise V. Gonick, President and CEO of MVP Health Care. "This combination brings together two mission-driven, community-oriented companies with similar values. We see many synergies and increased growth opportunities, especially in the upcoming Health Benefit Exchange marketplace. We believe that the sum of our combination will be greater than the individual parts."

Georganne Chapin, President and CEO of Hudson, added, "We are looking forward to joining MVP, an outstanding organization, and believe this combination will create many new opportunities for our customers, employees and communities. We will now become part of an organization with the critical mass necessary to thrive and grow in the rapidly evolving health care field."

No significant changes to Hudson's operations are immediately planned. Hudson will continue to do business as "Hudson Health Plan," and will continue to serve members in Medicaid Managed Care, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus in Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Ulster, and Sullivan counties in New York.

Like-minded organizations

Gonick and Chapin noted that the two companies, which together will serve approximately 733,000 members, share organizational and cultural traits that will provide benefits to all constituencies. Both health plans are forward-thinking, not-for-profit organizations that share a commitment to creating healthier communities. For example, both are among an elite group of six health plans selected to participate in the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative sponsored by the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, in which primary care practices assume responsibility for coordinating care for patients with complex medical needs.

In addition, both plans earn high marks for their services. MVP's commercial and Medicare Advantage programs were among the highest-rated plans in the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2012-2013 Health Insurance Plan Rankings. Hudson has ranked highest in overall satisfaction among Medicaid members in the Hudson Valley since 2003.

Preparing for the Health Insurance Marketplace

Gonick and Chapin believe the combined company will be well positioned to compete as many individuals and small businesses begin to purchase health insurance through the New York State Health Benefit Exchange in October of this year.

"Hudson and MVP both have excellent reputations for customer service, which will be a major consideration for consumers purchasing insurance through the Exchange," Gonick said. Additionally, Hudson has a strong, community-based enrollment program that focuses on individual enrollment. "We believe this enrollment expertise will be invaluable as MVP moves into direct consumer sales in the Exchange environment," Gonick said.

Chapin added, "Size and diversity of offerings are important for health plans in the new world of the health insurance marketplaces. A 55-year-old person would like to join a health plan that can continue to cover him when he turns 65. Likewise, if someone is no longer eligible for Medicaid, she might prefer to buy a commercial product from that same insurer. Together, MVP and Hudson now can cover people through all of life's stages and changing needs."

Gonick concluded, "In joining MVP, Hudson becomes part of a larger, more diverse health plan that believes in the value of strengthening and expanding Medicaid managed care. In the combination, MVP benefits from Hudson's proven and noted expertise in and commitment to effectively serving people who qualify for Medicaid, Child Health Plus and other safety net programs in the Hudson Valley. "

About MVP Health Care

Founded in 1983, MVP Health Care is a community-focused, not-for-profit health insurer serving members in the states of New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Through its operating subsidiaries, MVP Health Care provides fully insured and self-funded employer health benefits plans, dental insurance, and ancillary products such as flexible-spending accounts, to more than 613,000 members, with a regional network of 19,000 health care providers as well as a national network of more than 500,000 health care providers. For more information, visit www.mvphealthcare.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mvphealthcare, and on Twitter at @MVPHealthCare.

About Hudson Health Plan

Founded in 1985, Hudson Health Plan is a community-based not-for-profit health insurer that provides state-sponsored Medicaid Managed Care, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus insurance coverage to 120,000 members in New York's Hudson Valley, with a regional network of 5,000 health care providers. Hudson uses every government dollar it receives to fulfill its mission, which is "to promote and provide access to excellent health services for all people." Visit Hudson at www.hudsonhealthplan.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hudsonhealthplan, and on Twitter at @HudsonHealth.

Additional information about MVP and Hudson is available:

• Hudson backgrounder & list of honors and awards
• MVP backgrounder
• MVP and Hudson logos
• Photo of MVP and Hudson CEOs

SOURCE MVP Health Care