This three-way collaboration will strengthen Medicare in Delaware

As factors like remote work, vaccination rate, and proximity to beaches and major cities have likely made Delaware increasingly attractive for pandemic relocation, this healthcare collab may be one more reason to move here — especially if you’re looking for a place to retire.

Two of the state’s biggest healthcare providers, ChristianaCare and Bayhealth, have formed an alliance with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware with the intention of improving quality of care and reducing costs for seniors across Delaware. ChristianaCare, which has providers throughout the region, is New Castle County’s biggest healthcare system, with Christiana and Newark Hospitals; Bayhealth is a major provider in Sussex and Kent Counties.

The three organizations will together be offering an enhanced Medicare plan to Delawareans aged 65 and over that will be available for enrollment on Jan. 1, 2022. Through this plan, those enrolled in the federal Medicare program will receive a more streamlined service that consolidates coverage into a single package (as opposed to traditional Medicare’s four separate A, B,C and D programs), and will offer additional benefits, including dental, vision and hearing services and coverage.

“ChristianaCare and Bayhealth are prominent health care providers in the areas of care coordination and outcomes, and they have strong ties to their communities. This collaboration will help increase access to care, enhance the provider-patient experience, and make way for new solutions to improve health for all seniors,” said Alexis Miller, market president of federal markets for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.

ChristianaCare and Highmark Health previously signed a 10-year agreement focused on affiliates of the two orgs addressing current health care challenges and “transforming the whole health experience.”

“We are working together with local health care partners to ensure access to efficient, affordable, and high-quality care for Delawareans, especially vulnerable populations like seniors,” said Dr. Gary Siegelman, Bayhealth’s SVP and chief medical officer. “We believe this collaboration is important, because it will support better coordination of care and increase our ability to help seniors manage their chronic conditions, so they can enjoy the important people and activities in their lives.”