Sentara Healthcare, based out of Norfolk and one of the largest not-for-profit integrated health care delivery systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, has concluded its transaction with SantaFe HealthCare Inc., for ownership of AvMed Inc., a not-for-profit health plan based out of Florida. AvMed health plan serves more than 200,000 residents of the sunshine state.
“Sentara has extensive experience operating successful health plans that facilitate access to high-quality, coordinated care for members, and we are excited to be bringing Sentara’s mission—we improve health every day—to an even larger community,” said Dennis Matheis, president and chief executive officer of Sentara Healthcare in a prepared statement.
AvMed is headquartered in Miami and provides commercial group, individual, and Medicare Advantage coverage to more than 200,000 members. AvMed’s operations are expected to continue as usual with marginal impact to health plan members, employees, and providers. Leadership believes Sentara’s strengths, combined with AvMed’s local expertise and network of physicians, will create new opportunities to leverage top-notch practices while forming new products and services that improve health outcomes for members.
“Our partnership with Sentara best positions AvMed to continue helping Floridians live healthier, the basis of our mission for the past 50 years,” said Jim Repp, president and chief operating officer of AvMed in the press release. “To create thriving communities, address health disparities, and improve wellness, offering accessible, quality care is vital, and this new affiliation will deliver that for our members and local communities.”
Sentara Healthcare has served Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina for more than 130 years as a not-for-profit integrated health care delivery system. It operates Sentara Health Plans, the health insurance division of Sentara Healthcare, and offers health plans through its subsidiaries, Optima Health and Virginia Premier, which provide commercial, Medicare and Medicaid products, and a care delivery network with 12 hospitals and ambulatory services.
With the completion of the transaction, Sentara’s health plan operations expand coverage to nearly 1.2 million members.
Sentara Healthcare has nearly 30,000 employees, which includes 1,375 physicians and advanced practice providers, along with 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina. AvMed members rely on the support of nearly 500 employees and a network of more than 35,000 providers.
