Priority Health partners with local health systems to create affordable plan options for Southeast Michigan residents 

(Grand Rapids, Mich. - Oct. 16, 2017) Priority Health is committed to providing individual market consumers statewide options to help control their health care costs. As part of this commitment, Priority Health announces, today, its introduction of two new narrow networks in Southeast Michigan. St. John Providence and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System will serve as strategic partners in serving the region's individual population, offering consumers access to high quality care with costs up to 20 percent lower.

Narrow network plans offer members lower premium rates for their use of the provider network. Priority Health brought its first narrow network to the individual market in 2016 with the launch of the Spectrum Health Partners network, exclusively sold in Kent County. In 2017, Priority Health added Bronson Healthcare Partners network to the individual product offerings. These plans are sold in Kalamazoo, Van Buren and Calhoun counties.

"Our narrow network plans are becoming increasingly popular because they offer an innovative solution to addressing cost concerns without sacrificing access to quality care," said Joan Budden, president and CEO of Priority Health. "We’re thrilled to partner with some of the best health systems in the state and to expand our narrow network offerings to the Southeast Michigan individual market population."

For the 2017 plan year, 68 percent of Kent County members enrolled in a Priority Health individual plan chose Spectrum Health Partners, up by 14 percent from the previous year. Additionally, 65 percent of Priority Health's individual members in the Kalamazoo area chose Bronson Health Partners.

Both narrow networks plan options, St. John Providence Health Network and St. Joseph Mercy Health System Network, will be offered on the MyPriority Silver and MyPriority HSA Bronze plan types.

St. John Providence Network will serve Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties and will provide full access to the St. John Providence network and physicians. Additionally, Ascension Crittenton Hospital is included as part of this narrow network option.

St. Joseph Mercy Health Network will cover Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. This network provides comprehensive access to Saint Joseph Mercy Health System physicians and affiliated partners.

Members who enroll in these plans will get the benefit of coordinated care within one health system, along with services like free health coaching, free virtual visits, care management for those that are most at-risk for chronic health conditions and access to tools like the Priority Health Cost Estimator. Before enrolling in the health system's network, be sure to use the Priority Health Find a Doctor to make sure your doctor is in the plan’s network. Priority Health has also created resources to assist individuals in considering their options for health insurance coverage. Visit mypriority.com to learn more.

About Priority Health:

With over 30 years in business, Priority Health is the second largest health plan in Michigan, offering an extensive portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving more than 1.3 million members each year and offering a broad network of primary care physicians in Michigan, Priority Health continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Learn more about affordable, quality health coverage options from Priority Health.