Michigan Medicine and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, a member of Trinity Health, today announce a partnership with Lansing-based Physicians Health Plan (PHP) to bring a new choice in Medicare Advantage plans to Livingston and Washtenaw counties this fall. The plans will be marketed under the name U-M Health + St. Joe’s Advantage and are administered by PHP. U-M Health + St. Joe’s Advantage will be available to Medicare-eligible residents of those counties during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) beginning Oct. 15, 2021, for the 2022 calendar year.

“The partnership with PHP and the addition of this new Medicare Advantage plan represents an important next step in which we continue to improve access to high quality care in our communities,” said David Miller, M.D., M.P.H., president of University of Michigan Health, the clinical branch of Michigan Medicine.

“PHP brings a trusted and proven healthcare plan to our patient population. This plan enhances a care delivery model that uses the strengths of both Michigan Medicine and St. Joe’s to benefit patients.”

Members in the U-M Health + St. Joe’s Advantage plans will have access to a wide network of hospitals and providers, which includes all Michigan Medicine providers, hospitals and ambulatory facilities as well as IHA and HVPA primary and specialty care providers within Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

“St. Joe’s mission is to improve the health of our communities. This Medicare plan with PHP and Michigan Medicine provides new opportunity to extend our mission and represents an extraordinary benefit to our local seniors,” said Alonzo Lewis, president, St. Joe’s Ann Arbor and Livingston. “We look forward to working with our partners on this exciting new venture."

“For nearly 40 years, PHP has served as a locally managed health plan delivering best-in-class customer service,” said Dennis Reese, president and chief executive officer of PHP. “This new Medicare Advantage plan, with the support of our strategic health system partners, extends our personal care and service to southeastern Michigan, and gives seniors a new choice from trusted health systems, which now include Michigan Medicine and St. Joe’s. “ 

For Michigan Medicine, the U-M Health + St. Joe’s Advantage represents the next step in the strategic partnership with PHP. In 2019, Michigan Medicine became a minority owner of PHP, and joined Lansing-based Sparrow Health System as the second health system owner. In 2020, Michigan Care, a PHP commercial health plan, was offered to University and Health System employees.

During the Medicare AEP starting Oct. 15, 2021, the U-M Health + St. Joe’s Advantage will be available in Livingston and Washtenaw counties. PHP also offers Sparrow Advantage in Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Montcalm, and Shiawassee counties; Covenant Advantage in Saginaw, Bay, and Tuscola counties; and PHP Advantage in Calhoun, Jackson, and Kalamazoo counties

Eligible enrollees can begin to sign up for a plan offered in their area Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2021. Coverage for beneficiaries will begin Jan. 1, 2022.