Network Health, the Wisconsin-based health insurance company, and ThedaCare, the Appleton-based community owned health system, have agreed to a contract extension for Network Health members to access ThedaCare providers through December 31, 2016, under the same terms as the current contract with no change in fees for patients.
The ThedaCare contract with Network Health would have ended July 31, 2016. The new agreement means Network Health members whose plans include ThedaCare can continue to see ThedaCare providers as they do now, until the end of the year.
Five years ago, Network Health and ThedaCare partnered to give the Fox Valley a health care solution between two highly respected local organizations. This week, Network Health president and CEO Sheila Jenkins and ThedaCare President and CEO Dean Gruner signed a contract to continue the relationship through December 31, 2016.
“Our highest priority remains ensuring our customers have access to high quality, affordable health care,” Sheila Jenkins said. “Extending our relationship with ThedaCare will allow our members continued access to ThedaCare providers throughout 2016. Our customers and partners have been overwhelmingly supportive and patient during this negotiation. As a locally-owned and community-minded company, our focus continues to be on being more than a typical health plan, providing superior service to our members and partners.”
“I am delighted our patients in our 14-county service area will continue to see the doctors they know and trust, and get the same high-quality care they have been for years,” said ThedaCare President and CEO Dean Gruner, MD. “We are committed to improving the health of the communities we serve and this extension gives our patients peace of mind that nothing changes for them in 2016.”
ThedaCare For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 35 clinics in 14 counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. The ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center opens in February. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
