HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amerigroup and Renaissance Physicians Organization (RPO) have teamed up to provide proactive, patient-centered health care to individuals covered under Amerigroup Medicare Advantage plans available in the Greater Houston area. This collaboration, which will be effective August 1, will also increase access to primary care groups and specialists for some of the state’s most vulnerable populations.
Renaissance Physicians Organization enters into an agreement known as risk-based payments. In this model, clinicians will be rewarded based on keeping their patients healthy and not on the number of procedures or tests performed. The intent of this approach is to encourage clinicians to work with their patients, focus more on preventive care, and make care coordination a priority. They will also aim to identify any possible health problems before they become harmful and result in avoidable procedures and associated costs, such as being admitted to the hospital.
“For more than a decade, Renaissance Physicians has provided high-quality, innovative care within a changing health care landscape by focusing on what matters the most, the patient,” said Dr. John E. Bertini, Jr., chairman of Renaissance Physicians Organization. “The Amerigroup name is a familiar one that represents stability and strength, and Amerigroup’s Medicare plans give people eligible for Medicare another strong option in the Houston area.”
This collaboration includes Amerivantage Select and Amerivantage Dual Coordination, which are health plans available to individuals in the region who are eligible for Medicare, or Medicare and Medicaid. The plans provide extra benefits not available with traditional Medicare.
- Amerivantage Select (HMO) offers $0 premiums and low out-of-pocket costs, including $0 copay for primary care visits and preventive care, such as annual physical, dental vision and hearing exams.
- Amerivantage Dual Coordination (HMO SNP) features a $0 premium for individuals with Medicare and qualifying Medicaid; $0 copay for routine foot care; free transportation for medical and pharmacy visits; and up to $2,500 per year toward the purchase of dental services, such as dentures, crowns and oral surgery.
Both plans offer, at no additional cost to members, extra dental, vision and hearing benefits; transportation coverage for medical visits; monthly access to the SilverSneakers® fitness program. Members also receive money toward the purchase of eyewear, hearing aids and health care items, such as cold and allergy products, dental products, and vitamins.
People covered by these plans are able to see RPO’s doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals as in-network providers and have access to a variety of RPO services.
Bertini noted that patients covered by Amerigroup Medicare Advantage plans will have access to a network of clinicians that delivers health care close to their patients’ homes as well as access to all major hospital systems in southeast Texas. RPO’s approach to health care centers around the idea of closely coordinating a patient’s care between primary care provider, specialists, case managers, other clinicians, and hospitals. The group also believes strong doctor-patient relationships are essential to good health.
“Amerigroup and RPO share the same goal of delivering high-quality affordable health care to the members we are privileged to serve,” said Josh Martin, president of Amerigroup Medicare west region. “By continuing to add specialists and groups with excellent reputations for quality, our goal is to help our members manage their care, improve their health outcomes, and lower their costs.”
Amerigroup and RPO believe this collaboration will make health care easier for individuals who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare – also known as dual eligible. Specifically, individuals who already use RPO’s network of clinics under their Medicare, or Medicare and Medicaid plan, will now have the choice to continue seeing the same RPO doctors and nurses when they also enroll in Medicare Advantage plans such as Amerivantage Dual Coordination, a plan designed for individuals who are dual eligible.
“Cost of care continues to be an important issue for seniors living on a fixed income, particularly with more than half of the dual eligible population living on $10,000 a year or less,” added Martin. “This collaboration between our organizations reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality care, while allowing our members to live the life they’ve earned.”
Individuals who are eligible to enroll in Medicare Advantage can go to www.myamerigroup.com/medicare to learn more about Amerivantage Select and Amerivantage Dual Coordination plans. For more information about the health care services available at Renaissance Physicians Organization, individuals can visit www.myrpo.com.
AMERIGROUP Texas, Inc. is a Medicare Advantage Organization with a Medicare contract. For Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans: AMERIGROUP Texas, Inc. is a D-SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid program. Enrollment in AMERIGROUP Texas, Inc. depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-470-4131 (TTY 711). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-470-4131 (TTY 711). This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premium, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. Other providers are available in our network.
About Amerigroup
Amerigroup is part of the Anthem Government Business Division (GBD). Through the GBD, Anthem serves 7.4 million seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families and other state and federally sponsored beneficiaries, and National Government Services enrollees (including the Federal Employee Program) in 26 states, making us the nation’s leading provider of health care solutions for public programs. Amerigroup accepts all eligible people regardless of age, sex, race or disability.
About Renaissance Physicians Organization
For over 15 years, Renaissance Physicians has been dedicated to providing patients with a stronger doctor-patient relationship. One that includes coordinated, preventive care that helps to keep our patients healthier. Doctor-owned and operated, Renaissance includes over 1,500 Primary Care Physicians and Specialists who serve the needs of more than 100,000 patients in Houston and Southeast Texas.