Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Rewards Providers with $15M for Improved Health Outcomes

Meridian and its providers are increasing access to high-quality care for over 340,000 Medicaid members statewide through value-based partnerships, resulting in a 21% reduction in emergency room visits.

CHICAGO, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), a managed care organization providing services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex needs and a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today it provided $15 million in 2024 in value-based care incentive payments to providers for improved health outcomes for its Medicaid members.

"At Meridian, we're committed to partnering with our providers to make healthcare more convenient, accessible, and impactful for our members," said Cristal Gary, Meridian Plan President and CEO. "Our data-driven, value-based care model empowers providers to proactively improve care delivery, reduce disparities, and drive better outcomes."

Value-based care models enable Meridian to empower providers with the tools, data, and support needed to deliver proactive, member-centered care that makes a meaningful difference. Meridian's $15 million in incentive payments also reflects its ongoing commitment to improving healthcare delivery across Illinois, reducing health disparities, enhancing care coordination, and ensuring better outcomes for its members and communities — now and into the future.

"At Diverge Health, we believe strong partnerships are the foundation of exceptional patient care. By working together with Meridian and primary care providers in a value-based model, we can deliver the highest quality care to underserved patients, ultimately strengthening communities from within," said Binoy Bhansali, CEO of Diverge Health, one of the providers currently participating in Meridian's value-based care programs.

Driving Measurable Health Improvements Through Data-Driven Provider Partnerships
Meridian evaluated the impact of its Medicaid value-based care model for 2024 using provider data and internal projections, encompassing 729 providers, 340,000 members, and 39 performance measures. The analysis revealed that providers participating in value-based care contracts achieved up to 34% higher compliance rates with performance measures compared to providers not engaged in value-based care arrangements.

These results reflect the effectiveness of Meridian's model in driving measurable improvements in care delivery and health outcomes, which include a 21% reduction in emergency room visits per thousand and inpatient readmissions trended 37% lower per thousand. Meridian's findings indicate its value-based care providers offered better access to timely, preventive care before conditions escalated to require hospitalization.

Among the 39 performance measures evaluated, several preventive and chronic care indicators showed marked improvements, with value-based care providers achieving significantly higher compliance rates than non-VBC providers (percentage point difference):

• Child and Adolescent Well Visits: 34%
• Adult Access to Preventive Care Visits: 32%
• Cervical Cancer Screenings: 21%
• Breast Cancer Screenings: 20%
• Kidney Health Monitoring for Diabetic Patients: 17%
• Blood Pressure Control: 11%

These differences represent the percentage point improvements in compliance rates among VBC providers compared to their non-VBC counterparts, underscoring the model's effectiveness.

"At MHN ACO, we believe that strong, collaborative partnerships between healthcare providers and payors are essential to building a more effective, equitable, and outcomes-driven healthcare system. Value-based care models serve as a powerful catalyst — aligning care delivery, operational strategies, and financial incentives — to enable more personalized, coordinated, and data-informed care for the patients and communities we serve," said Yasin Patel, President & CEO of MHN ACO, LLC.

Collaboration with High-Performing Providers is Key
Meridian continues to work with a network of high-performing providers to improve care quality and expand access for its members.

"Participating in value-based care promotes patients' engagement and education on their personal health as the first priority, by aligning patient, provider, and payor interests," said Niraj Shah, MD, Primary Care Joliet medical co-director.

Among the value-based care partners currently working alongside Meridian in 2025 are:

• Access Community Health Network
• Advocate Health Care
• Apogee Health Partners
• Ascension
• CINQCARE
• Cityblock Medical Practice
• Community Health Care
• Cook County Health
• Diverge Health ACO
• Endeavor Health
• Family Medicine Specialists
• Illinois Health Practice Alliance
• Lurie Children's Health Partners
• Medical Home Network (MHN) ACO
• Sinai Health System/Progress Health
• Primary Care Physicians of Joliet
• Ravenswood Physician Associates
• Unified Primary Care Physicians Network
• UnityPoint Health

Meridian has set ambitious goals for continuing to expand value-based care arrangements with providers in 2026, including models that have shared savings or downside risk. To learn more about Meridian, visit ILmeridian.com.

About Meridian Health Plan of Illinois
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and its family of health plans provide government-sponsored managed care to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. This includes Meridian's Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid plans, and YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois. YouthCare is a specialized program designed to address the healthcare needs of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) youth in out-of-home placement and former foster youth. Meridian connects members to care and offers comprehensive services to support lifelong health and wellness. Meridian is a company of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. Learn more at ILmeridian.com.

SOURCE Meridian of Illinois