Kalos Health Agreement with VNS Health Supports Access to Managed Long-Term Care Across Western New York

Helping People with Complex Health Conditions Live Their Best Possible Lives

NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As of December 1, 2024, Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) health plan members from Western New York-based health insurer Kalos Health transitioned to VNS Health, which acquired the Kalos Health members through an acquisition transaction. The acquisition transaction was submitted to the New York State Department of Health (the Department) following the enacted 2023-2024 New York State Budget provisions. Nearly 1,000 Kalos Health plan members transferred to VNS Health. Some members chose other health plans operating in Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, or Orleans counties before Kalos Health ceased MLTC operations.

To ensure ongoing continuity of care, many Kalos Health care managers are continuing to support their new and existing MLTC plan members as employees of Elderwood IPA. Elderwood IPA provides delegated care management, local provider relations, and certain administrative functions to VNS Health MLTC members who also reside in Western New York counties.

For more than 130 years, VNS Health has been dedicated to helping people age in place in their homes and communities. The growing population of older adults coping with multiple chronic diseases, and calls to improve health outcomes in the region demonstrate today's critical need for access to home health care services and health plans across New York State.

"Health care should be easy to access and simple to understand," says Dan Savitt, President and CEO of VNS Health. "The trusted relationships that Kalos Health has built with its MLTC members and care providers make that possible, and truly help people live their best possible lives in their homes and communities. VNS Health is committed not only to maintaining that respect and trust, but to ensuring that members have access to even better and more integrated benefits to support their long-term care needs in years to come."

"Kalos Health is pleased to know that the high level of clinical and personal care that has been given to our members over the last 10 years will continue with the team at VNS Health," says Carlo Figliomeni, President and CEO of Kalos Health. "It is important that these individuals be given high quality services so that they can remain safe in their homes, with family and friends, and continue being a part of the community with which they live."

Recently, VNS Health acquired the membership of several MLTC plans, including Prime Health Choice, Senior Network Health, and Elderwood Health Plan, who were all impacted by the State's requirement to also offer a D-SNP. Additionally, in 2024, VNS Health Total (HMO D-SNP) earned five stars from the NYSDOH, receiving the highest Quality Incentive rating of any dual-eligible Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) plan. VNS Health MLTC also received four stars from the NYSDOH.

About VNS Health
VNS Health is one of the nation's largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations. Innovating in health care for more than 130 years, our commitment to the health and well-being of those we care for is what drives us—we help people live, age, and heal where they feel most comfortable, in their own homes, connected to their family and community. VNS Health offers a full range of health care services, solutions and health plans designed to simplify the health care experience and meet the diverse and complex needs of those we serve across New York State. VNS Health Health Plans are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, sharing the VNS Health mission of providing compassion and care for the poor, the chronically ill and the elderly.

About Elderwood IPA
At Elderwood IPA, we are people caring for people. We achieve our mission by fostering collaboration among independent healthcare providers to prioritize patient-centered care and support both the clinical and social needs of our community. With integrity, respect, and accountability at the core of everything we do, we aim to enhance the quality of life for the people we serve while pursuing excellence in care management and innovation.

SOURCE VNS Health