AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, a Medicaid managed care health plan that will serve Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the state’s new IA Health Link program beginning March 1, 2016, and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa (Wheaton Iowa), a faith-based comprehensive health care provider, announced today that they have signed an agreement that will give AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa’s members access to Wheaton Iowa’s comprehensive medical and surgical health care services throughout Northeast Iowa.

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare includes hospitals, clinics and other services in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Its Iowa sites include Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls and Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters in Oelwein, as well as more than 100 primary care and specialty providers at its 26 Covenant Clinic locations.

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies (AmeriHealth Caritas), which has more than 30 years of experience caring for populations with complex health conditions. AmeriHealth Caritas has successfully implemented Medicaid managed care plans throughout the country based on a unique integrated model of care, which includes physical and behavioral health, pharmacy benefit management, and specialty pharmacy services.

With the addition of Wheaton Iowa to its provider network, AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa members will now have access to five of the state’s largest health systems.

“As a mission-driven organization, Wheaton Iowa is a natural partner for us in our effort to help Iowans get healthy and stay well,” said Cheryl Harding, market president of AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa. “Our providers are the backbone of our programs, and as our partners they are a critical component to our ability to improve the overall health and wellness of individuals, families and communities in Iowa. We are excited to add Wheaton Iowa to our network.”

“We are pleased to announce this agreement with AmeriHealth Caritas. The partnership will provide better access to high-quality health care services to vulnerable populations, and that is part of our mission and commitment to the communities we serve,” said Jack Dusenbery, president and CEO of Wheaton Iowa.

The new IA Health Link program will serve the majority of Iowa’s Medicaid population, or about 560,000 Iowans, through select managed care plans. For more information about the IA Health Link program, visit http://dhs.iowa.gov/.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, is one of the Medicaid managed care plans that will participate in IA Health Link beginning in March 2016. AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa will help Iowans get proper care and stay well, working with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout the state. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasia.com.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies

AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 16 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 6.9 million Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services, and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.

About Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa is a faith-based 511-bed, not-for-profit, comprehensive medical/surgical health care provider offering acute levels of medical care at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo; Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls, and Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. Its services in the region also include Covenant Clinic with more than 100 primary care and specialty providers; Covenant Foundation, Sartori Health Care Foundation and Mercy Hospital Foundation. Areas of excellence include cardiology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, maternity and NICU, cancer treatment, minimally invasive and Bariatric surgery. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare invests in the Iowa communities we serve and is committed to living out the healing ministry by providing exceptional and compassionate health care service that promotes the dignity and well-being of its patients. For more information, visit www.wheatoniowa.org.