Braven Health Plans Earn 4 Stars From CMS and Expand Statewide for 2023

• Braven Health expands to additional New Jersey counties and will offer Medicare Advantage plans statewide starting Oct 15, 2022 for enrollment effective January 1, 2023.
• Over the last two years, Braven Health has enrolled nearly 28,000 new members across eight counties; with expansion statewide, 2023 is expected to be another record-breaking year for enrollment.
• Braven Health’s Medicare Advantage PPO plans achieve 4 stars from CMS.

(Newark, New Jersey, October 10, 2022) — Braven Health℠ — the first and only New Jersey Medicare company jointly owned by New Jersey’s largest and one of the most trusted health insurers, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and two of the state’s leading health systems, Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) and RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) — will expand to all New Jersey counties for 2023. Braven Health broke enrollment records in its first year, marking the highest enrollment of any Medicare Advantage plan in its original 8-county service area in the last 16 years. This growth has continued in 2022 with Braven Health’s current enrollment standing at nearly 28,000. Braven Health’s expansion will bring its unique Medicare Advantage products to the entire state.

“Braven Health is a whole new approach to Medicare, offering a personalized health care experience that puts patients first,” said Luisa Y. Charbonneau, Chief Executive Officer of Braven Health. “Over the last two years, our record-breaking enrollment numbers and 2023 CMS 4-star rating of our Medicare Advantage PPO plans* show that we are listening to our members and delivering seamless coordination, as well as enhanced, cost-effective, flexible plan benefits that our members deserve. Our expansion into an additional 13 New Jersey counties allows Braven Health to offer our highly competitive plans to all of New Jersey’s Medicare beneficiaries."

Braven Health, which was launched in September 2020 and welcomed its first members in January 2021, offers a personalized and customized health care experience guided by those who know each member’s health best — their doctors. Individuals eligible for Medicare in New Jersey will be able to sign up for a Braven Health Medicare Advantage plan during the MA Annual Enrollment Period (“AEP”), which runs from October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting on January 1, 2023.

Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans give members access to Horizon BCBSNJ’s growing Managed Care network that includes the entire HMH and RWJBH systems and is also made up of more than 54,000 providers and all of the acute care hospitals in New Jersey. In addition, Braven Health’s PPO plans feature nationwide access to more than 620,000 providers and over 4,300 hospitals in 46 participating states. Braven Health’s 2023 plans feature $0 premium options, low out-of-pocket costs and flexible out-of-network benefits, as well as enhanced benefits. “We are excited to offer our competitive benefit plans and highly desirable supplemental benefits statewide for 2023,” said Luisa Y. Charbonneau, Chief Executive Officer of Braven Health.

“Braven Health is already delivering on its promise of better health outcomes for tens of thousands of New Jersey seniors, validated by the 2023 CMS 4-star rating of our Medicare Advantage PPO plans,” said Michael Sheehan, MD, Chief Clinical Officer of Braven Health. “Our alignment with provider partners is truly unique and translates into better health outcomes for our members and an enhanced patient experience.”

“Braven Health is truly a game-changer for its members,” said Braven Health Provider Council member Philip Woodham, MD, a Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group internal medicine physician. “No one understands the needs of a patient more than their physician, and physicians are helping to create a health plan that meets the needs of the patients and communities we serve.”

“Braven Health continues to keep their pulse on the member experience by engaging front-line physicians to better understand improvement opportunities,” said Lina Shihabuddin, MD, RWJBH Chief Population Health Officer. “This is clearly improving the experience amongst members and physicians alike.”

With more seamless coordination, Braven Health is a whole new approach to Medicare. Braven Health represents a major milestone in New Jersey’s journey to transform the fee-for-service health care system and improve health care quality, affordability and the customer experience through greater integration, coordination and alignment. As New Jersey’s first payer-provider owned health plan, Braven Health effectively leverages the collective brand strength of each organization to deliver high-quality, personalized care at a lower cost.

Those who are Medicare-eligible can learn more about Braven Health’s Medicare plans by visiting www.BravenHealth.com, contacting their broker or attending a virtual or local in-person meeting. Consumers can get additional information about scheduling and pre-registration for these meetings by visiting BravenHealth.com/find-events or calling 1-888-444-0393 (TTY 711).

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About Braven Health℠

Braven Health℠ is a New Jersey payer-provider owned health plan. Owned by comprehensive health systems, Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health, and a trusted health insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, it offers competitive premium options and comprehensive benefits that go beyond traditional health insurance to support older adults who want more from life and more from their health care partners. It offers Medicare Advantage plans in 8 New Jersey counties, and all 21 New Jersey counties in 2023, with a broad provider network anchored by Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health and that includes all health care professionals who participate in Horizon BCBSNJ’s managed care network. Braven Health is an affiliate of Horizon BCBSNJ and is licensed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Learn more at www.BravenHealth.com.

*Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

Braven Health has a Medicare contract to offer HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage and Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug plans, including group Medicare Advantage and group Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug plans. Enrollment in Braven Health’s products depends on contract renewal. Products are provided by Braven Health, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Braven Health℠ name and symbols are service marks of Braven Health. ©2021 Braven Health, Three Penn Plaza East, Newark, New Jersey 07105.