New partnership will help Central Virginians continue care with preferred physicians

Bon Secours Health System, VCU Health and Virginia Premier announced today they have formed a new partnership to bring more options in 2019 to patients insured on the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange in Central Virginia. Pending approvals from the Virginia Bureau of Insurance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, these plans will be offered in areas served by providers from Bon Secours Richmond Health System, as well as from VCU Health System.

“Care for the commonwealth is fundamental to our mission across the VCU Health System enterprise, including our Virginia Premier health plan. It also is a value we share with Bon Secours, and so are pleased to partner with them again in this effort to provide a means for many of our citizens to access quality health care when and where they need it,” said Deborah Davis, CEO of VCU Health Hospitals and Clinics.

“The last year has been a difficult one for Virginians who rely on the individual market for health coverage,” said Linda Hines, CEO of Virginia Premier. “Three of the four insurance plans on the 2017 exchange pulled out of the exchange for 2018, which resulted in fewer care options for tens of thousands of Virginians. This new partnership brings back options and flexibility for people who want to continue care with providers at VCU Health or Bon Secours. Virginia Premier is excited about entering this market, as it fits well with our mission of providing affordable, yet high quality, health care for Virginians.”

Virginia Premier will offer four plans on the health insurance exchange for 2019, representing three tiers of coverage: one bronze, two silver, and one gold. The plans will serve the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan and the city of Richmond. Bon Secours and VCU Health providers, hospitals and other facilities will constitute the network serving members of these plans. Virginia Premier has not previously offered individual plans.

“Bon Secours has worked diligently to find new partners and a creative solution to return to the individual exchange market for 2019,” said Toni R. Ardabell, CEO, Bon Secours Virginia Health System. “Helping individuals find and fund quality health care is a shared commitment among Bon Secours, VCU Health and Virginia Premier. We couldn’t be happier to be their partners as we work together to improve the health of our community.”

The plans will be listed online at the healthcare.gov website, and consumers will be able to sign up for them during the annual enrollment period from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15.

Virginia Premier is a wholly owned subsidiary of VCU Health System.

Q&A’s are available on the websites of Bon Secours Health System, VCU Health and Virginia Premier.