Eastside Health Network and Premera Collaborate with Microsoft on New Health Plan

An industry-leading collaboration among Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Eastside Health Network (EHN) and Premera Blue Cross will provide a new custom health plan option for King and Snohomish County-based Microsoft employees beginning 2019.

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The new option called The Health Connect Plan, combines EHN’s clinically integrated provider network with Premera’s 85 years of experience providing health plans, to offer a better customer experience while ensuring patients receive the care they need.

Microsoft’s substantial regional footprint in the Puget Sound area and innovative approach to technology aligns with EHN and Premera’s focus on providing better more integrated care.

“With more than 100,000 employees and dependents in the Puget Sound region, we have a unique opportunity to shape the health care landscape in meaningful ways through the plans we offer to our employees and in our partnerships with the health care community,” said Kristen Roby Dimlow, corporate vice president of Total Rewards and Performance at Microsoft. “We believe that this new approach of connecting providers, patients, and resources is the next step in improving the health care experience for our employees.”

EHN was formed in 2017 as a joint venture between Overlake Medical Center and Clinics and EvergreenHealth. EHN affiliates with almost 100 independent practices dedicated to providing accessible care and improving outcomes, while providing the highest level of patient care.

“The Health Connect Plan offers Eastside Health Network a unique opportunity to collaborate with a major employer on the Eastside, and a major regional health plan” said David LaMarche, chief administrative officer of Eastside Health Network. “We have a shared vision around transforming health care and providing a unique patient-centered experience for our members.”

The plan also will include Allegro Pediatrics, a provider network offering pediatric care for over 50 years, and the Living Well Health Center, Microsoft’s onsite clinic. Microsoft employees working with a Health Connect network provider will experience personalized and coordinated care and have more cost predictability when it comes to managing their health.

Premera collaboratively works with providers to improve the health outcomes of customers. One of the company’s top priorities is making sure customers have access to appropriate, high-quality, cost-effective care while getting the most out of their health plan benefits.

To further enhance the patient experience, the plan provides access to a dedicated service center, which includes the Health Connect Navigator. The Navigator offers personalized assistance with many health care needs, such as choosing a primary care provider, finding a specialist, confirming plan benefits, and getting answers to administrative questions.

“Premera has had the privilege of offering health plans for Microsoft employees for 15 years,” said Ken Chandler, senior vice president of National Accounts at Premera. “We embrace the opportunity to work with EHN and Microsoft to create this custom health plan for Microsoft employees.”

Learn more about The Health Connect Plan

About Eastside Health Network

The Eastside Health Network is a clinically integrated network of physicians and providers who share a collaborative approach to health care delivery that manages patients’ care at every level, controls costs and reduces unnecessary care, all with a focus toward the best quality care and outcomes for each patient. The Eastside Health Network is part of the Eastside Health Alliance, a joint venture of Overlake Medical Center and Clinics and EvergreenHealth.

About Premera Blue Cross

Premera Blue Cross, a not-for-profit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association based in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., is a leading health plan in the Pacific Northwest, providing comprehensive health benefits and tailored services to approximately 2 million people, from individuals to Fortune 100 companies.

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