SOMERVILLE, MA – Allways Health Partners, a trusted name in Massachusetts healthcare, has announced a significant evolution in its journey. As a member of the esteemed Mass General Brigham system, AllWays Health Partners is set to transform into Mass General Brigham Health Plan, effective January 1, 2023. This strategic rebranding reflects a deeper integration within the Mass General Brigham healthcare ecosystem, aiming to revolutionize patient care and coverage.
For years, AllWays Health Partners has been committed to delivering value and innovation to its members. Founded in 1986 as Neighborhood Health Plan, its origins are rooted in community health, established by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and Greater Boston Forum for Health Action. This foundation of community-centric care has been a guiding principle throughout AllWays Health Partners’ growth. Becoming part of Mass General Brigham in 2012, and rebranding as AllWays Health Partners in 2019, marked significant milestones in its journey to enhance healthcare access and affordability.
The transition to Mass General Brigham Health Plan is more than just a name change; it signifies a strategic move towards a more unified and efficient healthcare model. The healthcare industry often operates in silos, separating the financial aspects from clinical care. By becoming Mass General Brigham Health Plan, the organization is poised to bridge this gap, fostering a value-based care model that places the patient at the heart of every decision. This approach prioritizes the quality of care over the sheer volume of services, aligning with Mass General Brigham’s vision for a world-class, integrated academic healthcare system.
“As Mass General Brigham Health Plan, we will be better positioned to break down traditional barriers to coordinated care and coverage through a value-based model that puts the member at the center,” stated Steven Tringale, President of AllWays Health Partners. This sentiment underscores the core objective of the rebranding – to create a seamless experience for members by integrating payer and provider functions more closely. The clinical excellence of Mass General Brigham, a globally recognized healthcare leader, underpins this integrated model, promising enhanced healthcare outcomes for its members.
Value-based care is central to this transformation. It’s about providing the right care, in the right setting, at the right time. This means offering services in the most medically appropriate, cost-effective, and convenient environment, whether it’s within an academic medical center, a local community provider’s office, in the comfort of one’s home, or through virtual platforms. This flexibility not only improves health outcomes and reduces costs but also opens avenues to address specific health needs within diverse populations and tackle social determinants that contribute to healthcare disparities.
The collaboration between AllWays Health Partners and Mass General Brigham has already yielded innovative programs. Notably, they have expanded access to crucial mental healthcare services. Recognizing the escalating mental health challenges, especially heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, AllWays introduced a new mental health benefit in collaboration with Lyra Health. This benefit, initially for Mass General Brigham employees on select health plans, showcases a comprehensive solution blending in-person, remote, and self-guided services via a cutting-edge digital platform, alongside coordinated care for individuals with complex mental health needs. This initiative highlights AllWays Health Partners’ proactive approach to addressing holistic health and wellbeing.
Gregg Meyer, M.D., MS, President of the Community Division and Executive Vice President Value Based Care, Mass General Brigham, emphasized the collaborative spirit behind this change. “We are bringing together industry-leading expertise to provide meaningful healthcare solutions for our patients and communities,” he noted. This collaboration, now visibly represented in the new name, is fundamental to advancing a value-based care model that not only improves patient outcomes but also manages costs effectively and enriches the overall healthcare experience.
Lindsay Jubelt, MD, MS, Chief Population Health Officer, Mass General Brigham, and Chief Medical Officer, AllWays Health Partners, further elaborated on the integrated approach. “Through our collaboration as an integrated healthcare system, we are deploying innovative population health management approaches that seamlessly integrate the full spectrum of care to meet our members’ needs,” she explained. This integrated system aims to provide a cohesive and comprehensive healthcare journey for every member.
The evolution of AllWays Health Partners into Mass General Brigham Health Plan marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of a more integrated, value-driven healthcare system. By leveraging the strengths of both organizations, Mass General Brigham Health Plan is set to deliver enhanced care, improved member experiences, and a more sustainable healthcare model for the future. This transition underscores a commitment to continuous improvement and a dedication to placing the health and wellbeing of their members at the forefront of everything they do.
To discover more about this transition and the future of healthcare with Mass General Brigham Health Plan, please visit massgeneralbrigham.org.
