August 2nd, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Allegany Health Nursing and Rehabilitation, a 153-bed skilled nursing, rehabilitation and long-term care facility in Cumberland, is the first in the state to offer residents access to a new Medicare Advantage plan designed especially for nursing home residents thanks to the partnership with Provider Partners Health Plan (PPHP), which launched on August 1, 2016.

PPHP is available to anyone with Medicare who meets the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care and lives in a nursing home in its service area. Because they offer all health care services through a single plan, plans like PPHP can help members and their families better coordinate different health services and providers.

Scott Rifkin, MD, Founder and Board Chair of PPHP and CEO of Mid-Atlantic Health Care, an innovator in post-hospital services with 21 facilities in Maryland and Pennsylvania, stated, “We’re excited to offer Allegany residents coordinated care from local providers. Without adding to the member’s cost for a typical Medicare policy, a nurse practitioner and a nurse care coordinator will develop a personalized care plan for each member. PPHP also offers members additional benefits and services not covered by traditional Medicare. Most importantly, PPHP’s model of care program, personalized care planning, and primary care physician and nurse practitioner will help to improve member health and health outcomes by catching health issues early and reducing unnecessary trips to the hospital.” 

Allegany Administrator Debra Buckalew said, “PPHP will allow our residents and their families to consult with the nurse practitioner whenever they need assistance planning their care. We’re excited to develop the relationship with PPHP which further supports Allegany’s mission to provide quality, affordable and personalized health care for our residents.  PPHP’s comprehensive Medicare Advantage Plan and personalized model of care program also aligns with one of many ways we seek to keep our residents healthier and happier.”

This new Medicare Advantage Plan is only one of many new developments at Allegany Health, which has served the Cumberland area for over 100 years with short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care.  In the past few years, the facility has opened a new rehabilitation unit and private therapy suites. It offers 24-hour short and long-term nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, IV therapy, respiratory therapy, TPN therapy, enteral tube feeding and specialized wound care services.  

PPHP President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Grindrod, stated, “The arrangement between PPHP and Allegany Health is designed to increase access, focus on preventive care, and put the member at the center of the model of care to improve overall health and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.  In the coming months, PPHP will launch its partnerships with long term care facilities in Baltimore City and nine Maryland counties across the PPHP service area.”

Medicare Advantage Plans combine the services offered in traditional Medicare and more. Medicare Advantage plans, like PPHP, cover all the benefits of traditional Medicare, and more by combining medical, hospital and prescription drug coverage all in one plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer additional benefits and services not available on traditional Medicare that may include wellness care, dental and vision care. Today, about one third of all people covered by Medicare participate in a Medicare Advantage Plan.