IV Better and OptiMed Health Partners Join Forces to Enhance Patient Care in the Dallas Area

At OptiMed Health Partners, our commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services takes a giant leap forward as we proudly announce our partnership with IV Better to open an infusion center in Carrollton, Texas. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to optimize health outcomes and quality of life through personalized and coordinated care.

As medical advancements continue to unfold, the demand for specialized treatments, particularly infusion therapies, has risen substantially. Patients requiring infusion therapy, often those with chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, or certain immune deficiencies, face unique challenges in receiving their treatments. Recognizing this need, OptiMed Health Partners has joined forces with IV Better to establish a dedicated infusion center designed to cater specifically to the requirements of patients undergoing infusion therapy.

IV Better powered by OptiMed Health Partners

• Our infusion center is staffed with highly trained healthcare professionals who administer and monitor infusion therapies.

• The infusion center in Carrollton, TX, is designed with patient comfort in mind. From a cozy infusion bay with privacy curtains, noise-canceling headphones, and more, we aim to create an environment that fosters relaxation and convenience during each visit.

• Our collaboration with IV Better brings together the expertise of two leading healthcare entities, combining OptiMed’s commitment to patient-centric care and infusion therapy management with IV Better's passion for caring for patients in the community. This partnership guarantees a seamless and integrated approach to specialty medication administration.

The infusion center's location in Carrollton, TX, underscores our commitment to serving the local community. By providing a centralized and easily accessible facility for infusion therapy, we aim to enhance the overall quality of life for individuals managing chronic conditions.

Stay tuned for further updates as we embark on this exciting journey to redefine healthcare and positively impact the health and well-being of the Dallas area community.

What’s the good news, ladies? Summer wind down

Whether on the carrier side, volunteer side or strategy side of our industry, these women wake up each day and get it done. Nedra, Rusti and Rachel are showing up, demanding greatness, and giving it in return.

By Susan L Combs | August 16, 2023

I’ve been thinking about the word “greatness” a lot over the past week after I was fortunate enough to attend the CrossFit games in Madison, Wisconsin, where I witnessed it firsthand.  The CrossFit Games represents some of the fittest people in the world coming together to compete for greatness.  Those who watched the games live or on TV witnessed the greatness of Roman Khrennikov, who was in 1st place going into the final day before he injured his foot on the first workout that morning.  As a result, he competed in the final two workouts on one foot.  As we watched a man who has fought so hard to get to where he is both personally and professionally do double unders on one foot, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  When asked why he fought so hard, he said that he wanted to be a hero for his son as he watched his dad fight until the end.  Roman ultimately came in 3rd in the competition; and while he didn’t achieve his goal of earning the title of the Fittest Man on Earth, the character and tenacity he displayed can only be summed up in one word:  greatness.  

This leads me into introducing you to our next three ladies.  Whether on the carrier side, volunteer side or strategy side of our industry, these women wake up each day and get it done.  Nedra, Rusti and Rachel are showing up, demanding greatness, and giving it in return.  

Nedra C. Clingan, UnitedHealthcare

“Coming off an AMAZING year as President of the Texas chapter of NABIP.  The state-level executive committee is a 10-year commitment, and I embarked on this journey with an unyielding determination to excel. During this time, I have garnered invaluable experiences that have shaped my personal and professional growth and achievements. I am now on the home stretch, serving in an advisory role as a trustee. While I am excited about all that I have accomplished thus far, it has also left me wondering, “what’s next?” 

This past January, I joined UnitedHealthcare’s leadership team as Director of Sales and Account Management for Small Business Sales for Texas and Oklahoma. I lead a team of 10 focusing on new business growth. I attribute my success to the connections made through NABIP and my daily affirmations, including this quote by Vince Lombardi: ‘Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.’”

Rusti Greis, OptiMed Health Partners

“Over the course of a multi-year oncology battle, I experienced many facets of health care.  I started imagining ways to expand on the good, minimize the bad, and reject the ugly parts of this industry.  Through this experience, I made a life commitment to foster a better healthcare experience for others.”

My largest initiative is to spotlight competing priorities among stakeholders and break down the barriers between those paying, those rendering, and those receiving services.  By creating a more communicative and aligned ecosystem, we put the patient at the center of care and make the journey easier to navigate, offering accessible and affordable solutions that optimize outcomes.

I speak on this concept nationally and continue to create strategic industry partnerships that leverage diverse talents and multi-disciplinary perspectives, forging paths for those managing through a health journey. I’m honored to be part of a health care movement striving for lasting and positive change.”

Rachel Strauss, EHIM, Inc. Powered by ProCare

“2023 has been a year of firsts for me! This was the first year I checked “become published in a book” off my bucket list, became acknowledged as a female leader through my acceptance into the Chief Executive Women’s network, and chaired a women’s philanthropy event that fundraised more than $1 million. All while being ranked among the top sales performances within my organization. What this tells me is that 20 years of hard work, dedication and passion for my job have allowed me to move out of “young professional” mindset and into the next category. I see this as my opportunity to give back and mentor the next generation of women coming up in the ranks. I hope to be the type of leader to inspire other women that they really can have whatever they dream, the key is finding your tribe!”

Link to article and source: What’s the good news, ladies?  Summer wind down | BenefitsPRO

Sun Life launches program with OptiMed Health Partners to make specialty drugs more accessible and affordable.

WELLESLEY, Mass., July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life U.S., the largest independent medical stop-loss provider in the country, has named OptiMed Health Partners as a preferred partner to further the company's goal of improving healthcare access, while also managing rising healthcare costs. The new program through OptiMed will identify opportunities to administer specialty drugs to members who need them - in a convenient setting, such as the member's home or an infusion center - working in concert with the member's physician and care team. This type of highly coordinated and personalized delivery system reduces the risk of infections and complications for patients while decreasing the treatment costs for high-cost specialty drugs.

The new solution, Medical RX Management powered by OptiMed, is an extension of Sun Life's Clinical 360 program, which combines innovative data analytics with superior clinical expertise to identify cost savings and ways to optimize patient care and outcomes. At no additional cost to the client, OptiMed's vast experience in effectively managing specialty medication trends will help those who self-fund their health plans better manage their healthcare costs. According to KFF, an independent non-profit organization focused on national health issues, 65% of covered workers in the U.S. are in a self-funded plan, where employers pay their own medical claims.

“Expensive specialty drugs are major contributors to escalating healthcare costs which can significantly impact self-funded plans,” said Jennifer Collier, president of Health and Risk Solutions, Sun Life U.S. “Through this collaboration with OptiMed, we will tackle two pressing issues in the healthcare ecosystem – access and cost. Medical Rx Management powered by OptiMed will provide more ways for members to receive vital healthcare while reducing unnecessary costs for our clients.”

— Jennifer Collier, president of Health and Risk Solutions, Sun Life U.S

“As therapeutic advancements continue, it is essential for plans to lean on industry experts and partnerships such as this, to promote sustainability and high levels of clinical support to members when they need it most” said Rusti Greis, Vice President, Business Development for OptiMed Health Partners. “Our passion to reimagine healthcare solutions that deliver unsurpassed value, leverages technology and concierge services; creating an exceptional patient experience and driving positive industry change.”

— Rusti Greis, Vice President, Business Development for OptiMed Health Partners

OptiMed provides specialty infusion medications and therapy management for many conditions including a large number of medications listed in Sun Life's annual High-cost claims and injectable drug trends analysis of medical stop-loss claims.

OptiMed's program has been reviewed and accredited by two nationally recognized accreditation bodies focused on patient care and safety. 

Sun Life manages high-dollar medical claims for more than 2,800 self-funded employers covering more than 9 million people. Utilizing its extensive medical claims database, Sun Life provides expert insights each year on clinical conditions and medical trends that drive high-cost claims as well as how people utilize their healthcare. Sun Life is the largest independent stop-loss provider in the U.S. according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. An independent stop-loss provider does not sell medical claim administration services.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2023, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.36 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping more than 50 million Americans access the healthcare and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life U.S. and affiliated companies in asset management employ approximately 8,000 people in the U.S. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit  the website and newsroom.

About OptiMed

OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization, leading the charge in the infusion and specialty space. For more than 30 years, OptiMed has leveraged personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed's innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com or email info@optimedhp.com.

Media contacts:

Anjie Coplin
Sun Life U.S.
469-938-1050
anjie.coplin@sunlife.com

Jackie O'Dell
OptiMed Health Partners
269-250-8010
jodell@optimedhp.com

Connect with Sun Life U.S.

https://www.facebook.com/SLFUnitedStates   
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial  
https://twitter.com/SunLifeUS

SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

OptiMed Health Partners Receives the Pioneer in Performance Measurement Award from URAC

URAC recognizes OptiMed Health Partners' impressive work in Specialty Pharmacy.

KALAMAZOO, Mich., January 10, 2023 (OptiMedHP.com) - OptiMed Health Partners celebrates receiving the Pioneer in Performance Measurement Award from URAC (Utilization Review Accreditation Commission).

Organizations that make key contributions to advance performance measurement within accreditation programs are eligible for the award. OptiMed participated in activities beyond the mandatory reporting requirements, such as submitting exploratory measures and providing insight into cutting-edge measurement concepts.

"URAC is proud to honor OptiMed Health Partners as one of our 2021 Leaders in Performance Measurement. We created these awards to highlight the impressive work of our clients in improving quality in health care," said Eleni Theodoropoulos, URAC's Vice President of Quality, Research and Measurement. "Congratulations to OptiMed Health Partners for the pharmacy's commitment to leadership in using data to improve care."

"We are proud to be recognized by URAC's Leaders in Performance Measurement program. The Pioneer in Performance Measurement Award showcases OptiMed's passion for advancing the pharmacy profession for all patients through continuous quality improvement. Our voluntary measurement helps improve patient care and is a direct reflection of our commitment to reimagine healthcare solutions that deliver unsurpassed value." - Jessica Land, Pharm.D., Quality Manager.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. For more than 25 years, OptiMed has leveraged personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed's innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com or email info@optimedhp.com.

About URAC:  Founded in 1990, URAC is the independent leader in advancing healthcare quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement, and innovation. URAC's evidence-based measures and standards are developed through inclusive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of health care. For more information, visit www.URAC.org.

OptiMed Health Partners Announces Promotion of Rusti Greis to Vice President, Business Development

KALAMAZOO, Mich., February 17, 2022 (OptiMedHP.com) - OptiMed Health Partners today announced the appointment of Rusti Greis to vice president of business development. Greis will lead the sales department, the development of new and innovative models, and continue to oversee all industry relations activities. 

"Rusti has been a key player in the company's growth," said OptiMed CEO Andy Reeves. "Through her strategic focus, business and medical industry expertise, and commitment to our mission, she is positively impacting patient lives."

Greis joined OptiMed in 2016 and initially was charged with leading the company's strategic entry into offering national home infusion services, medical payer contracting, and the opening of OptiMed's first infusion suite. She since served as manager and director of industry relations and market access, where she worked with industry partners such as pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and payers.

"I am excited and honored to take on this new leadership role," said Greis. "As someone who has experienced the positive impact that quality and affordable healthcare can have in one's life, I am passionate about helping others. I will be focused on developing and promoting patients' access to superior levels of care and the perpetual improvement of the healthcare experience within the industry." 

Greis began her career within the healthcare industry with roles and responsibilities focusing on patient advocacy and management programs, facility/practice management, contracting, reimbursement best practices, and compliance. She is an accomplished national speaker on specialty prescription spending and patient advocacy, and is a valued partner to various healthcare industry leaders, clients and advocacy organizations. 

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national health care organization. For more than 25 years, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other health care organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed's innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com or email info@optimedhp.com.

OptiMed of Kalamazoo Provides COVID Boosters for Ages 12+

KALAMAZOO, Mich., January 6, 2022 (OptiMed Health Partners) – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of January 5th, 2022 recommends COVID-19 boosters for individuals ages 12-17 to maintain immunity longer. COVID-19 boosters help strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants.

“It is critical that we protect our children and teens from COVID-19 infection and the complications of severe disease,” states Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director. “Today, I endorsed ACIP’s vote to expand eligibility and strengthen our recommendations for booster doses. We now recommend that all adolescents aged 12-17 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their primary series. This booster dose will provide optimized protection against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. I encourage all parents to keep their children updated with CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.”

To be eligible for the booster, it must be after five months after the primary series was completed. The primary series is two (2) prior doses of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) - OR - one (1) prior dose of J&J vaccine. Visit vaccines.gov to find a location closest to you. OptiMed offers clinics every Tuesday and throughout the year.

About the COVID Clinics: By choosing to vaccinate against COVID-19, you are helping to protect yourself, your family, your friends, and the community. OptiMed offers vaccine clinics throughout the year.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. For more than 25 years, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed's innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com.

OptiMed Health Partners Offers Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID Positive Patients

OptiMed Health Partners offers monoclonal antibody infusion treatment for patients testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. Monoclonal antibodies are designed proteins that mimic the human immune system's ability to fight off harmful viruses such as COVID-19.  If you've tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, you may be eligible for a Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment.

This treatment involves a one-time intravenous (IV) infusion and is designed to reduce the severity of the virus and shorten the symptoms in mild to moderate patients.

"Our patients value the fact that, here at OptiMed, we make every effort to make monoclonal antibody infusions against COVID-19 easily accessible in a timely manner", says Jeff Lagonoy, PharmD., Clinical Pharmacist at OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy. "With these new therapies, there's a limited time window that patients are eligible to receive care. We have a highly skilled multidisciplinary team that aims to piece together a care plan that is individualized and unique to every patient. Further, patients can now receive therapy in the comfort of their own home which provides convenience, and more importantly, reduces viral transmission within the community."

"Patients can now receive therapy in the comfort of their own home which provides convenience, and more importantly, reduces viral transmission within the community," says Jeff Lagonoy, PharmD., Clinical Pharmacist at OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy.

To begin treatment, you should schedule a COVID-19 test by visiting www.optimedhp.com/test. OptiMed Health Partners offers PCR and Rapid Testing options at three convenient locations in Southwest Michigan. If you test positive, a member of our COVID-19 care team will reach out to coordinate the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment.

The treatment is offered with no out-of-pocket costs* for the patient when using insurance and is free through the CARES Act for uninsured or Medicare patients.

*Costs and coverage for treatment vary.

About the COVID Testing Locations: COVID-19 KZOO, COVID-19 AZO, and COVID-19 PAW PAW offer PCR and Rapid testing conveniently located in Southwest Michigan. Book an appointment using their simple and easy scheduler and their team of professionals will help you stay safe throughout the year. Visit www.optimedhp.com/test to learn about all their locations, hours, and to book directly.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national health care organization. For more than 25 years, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other health care organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed's innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com.

OptiMed of Kalamazoo Provides COVID Boosters and Third Dose COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends COVID-19 boosters and third dose vaccines for individuals who meet certain criteria.

The COVID-19 booster shot is an additional dose of the vaccine given after the original dose(s), intended to maintain immunity for longer. In comparison, the third dose shot is given to people with compromised immune systems. This shot is designed to improve the response to the vaccine in immunocompromised patients.

"At OptiMed, we continually strive to improve the health and well-being of our community, and our efforts to fight COVID-19 have been at the forefront of what we do," says Danielle Melford, BS PharmD, Director of Operations. "We are excited that we have added boosters, as well as pediatric vaccinations, to our other efforts to prevent and treat COVID-19."

"We are excited that we have added boosters, as well as pediatric vaccinations, to our other efforts to prevent and treat COVID-19," says Danielle Melford, BS PharmD, Director of Operations.

OptiMed Health partners are now offering COVID-19 boosters and third dose vaccines in Kalamazoo, Michigan every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. To be eligible for the booster you must have received two (2) prior doses of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) - OR - one (1) prior dose of J&J vaccine at least six months prior and have an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission. Third dose patients with a compromised immune system must have received two (2) prior doses of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) - OR - one (1) prior dose of J&J vaccine at least 28 days prior.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national health care organization. For more than 25 years, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other health care organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed's innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com.

About the COVID Clinics: By choosing to vaccinate against COVID-19, you are helping to protect yourself, your family, friends, and the community. OptiMed offers vaccine clinics throughout the year. Visit www.optimedhp.com/covid19-vaccine to learn more about the upcoming clinics offered including First Dose, Second Dose, Third Dose, Boosters, and Doses for Children.

OptiMed Achieves Third Consecutive URAC Accreditation and Fourth Consecutive ACHC Accreditation

KALAMAZOO, Mich., December 7, 2021 (Newswire.com) - OptiMed Health Partners celebrates its achievement of a fourth consecutive ACHC accreditation term and its third consecutive URAC accreditation term. Since 2012, OptiMed has put its practices to the test by undertaking the accreditation review process. "Undertaking the accreditation process demonstrates our commitment to upholding and improving outcomes throughout the health care landscape. It's a noble pursuit. It's also a process that requires adherence to URAC's and ACHC's rigorous standards, as well as time and energy," states Jessica Land, Pharm.D., Quality Manager.

"Many payers and manufacturers require one or both accreditations to work with a specialty pharmacy, so although it is a noble pursuit, it is important and essential to do to stay in business. Accreditation is not a rubber stamp; it's an achievement OptiMed can be proud of." - Jessica Land

By achieving accreditation, OptiMed demonstrates its commitment to providing the highest-quality service through compliance with national regulations and industry best practices. Successful achievement of this designation is the result of all the efforts that each and every employee contributes to the organization every day. It is the collective effort of carefully designed and upheld processes. OptiMed's team has persevered to develop and maintain quality assurance, continuous quality improvement, and clinical patient care programs that dovetail to optimize the patients' health outcomes and quality of life.

The ACHC re-accreditation survey for ambulatory infusion center, infusion pharmacy, and specialty pharmacy services (three business lines) was conducted on August 19 and 20, and full pharmacy accreditation was awarded on Sept. 7, 2021. The three-year term is effective Aug. 21, 2021, through Aug. 20, 2024.

The URAC reaccreditation survey was conducted November 2 and, after the rigorous desktop review period that occurred over summer 2021, full accreditation for the Specialty Pharmacy, Version 4.0 Program was awarded on Nov. 16, 2021. The three-year term is effective December 2021 through December 2024.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners is an independently owned and operated national health care organization. For 25+ years, OptiMed continues to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with health care organizations to create new standards of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed, visit www.optimedhp.com.

About URAC:  Founded in 1990, URAC is the independent leader in advancing health care quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement, and innovation. URAC's evidence-based measures and standards are developed through inclusive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of health care. For more information, visit www.URAC.org.

About ACHC: Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is a nonprofit accreditation organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC has CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice, Renal Dialysis, DMEPOS, and Home Infusion Therapy, and a quality management system that is ISO 9001:2015 certified. For more information, visit www.ACHC.org.

OptiMed Health Partners Reaccredited by ACHC

KALAMAZOO, Mich., September 28, 2021 - OptiMed Health Partners announced that it was awarded an additional three-year pharmacy program accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for the services of specialty pharmacy, ambulatory infusion center, and infusion pharmacy.

Accreditation is a process through which healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards and reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. Accreditation is a key benchmark for measuring the quality of an organization.

“The commission’s approval for OptiMed’s accreditation in our core service areas for another three-year term is not only an external validation of our compliance with the national standards, but is also a testament to our organization’s enduring commitment to quality, safety and excellence in patient care,” said OptiMed’s Quality Manager, Jessica Land, PharmD. “It has been well-earned. Our team has persevered to develop and maintain quality assurance, continuous quality improvement, and clinical patient care programs that dovetail to optimize our patients’ health outcomes and quality of life.”

Delivering more than just medications, OptiMed provides patients with comprehensive care, clinical management, insurance benefit investigations, resources and tailored support services. OptiMed’s clinical pharmacists, with advanced training, coach patients through their treatment journey. Licensed, certified pharmacy technicians promote adherence, safety, and quality while essential patient support personnel create a positive, lasting impact in the lives of patients. OptiMed is best-in-class for chronic and rare specialty diseases such as Crohn’s disease, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy also holds accreditation from URAC and is licensed to provide services to patients nationwide.

About OptiMed: OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national health care organization. For more than 25 years, OptiMed has delivered customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other health care organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed’s innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhealthpartners.com.

About ACHC: Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is a nonprofit accreditation organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC has CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice, Renal Dialysis, DMEPOS, and Home Infusion Therapy, and a quality management system that is ISO 9001:2015 certified. For more information, visit www.ACHC.org.

OptiMed Takes Steps for the Michigan IBD Community

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 16, 2021 - OptiMed Health Partners of Kalamazoo is proud to sponsor The West & Central Michigan annual Take Steps walk on Saturday, June 26th at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The unique event is set to be both a drive-thru event and walk with a team. The event will run from 10:00am-12:00pm on walk day with a 1.6-mile path to walk during the event.  

Serving multiple disease states, OptiMed Health Partners provides specialty medications, infusion therapy services, home infusion, and more for the IBD community. By sponsoring the 2021 Take Steps walk, OptiMed shows their commitment to providing impactful solutions and quality care for those in need.  

“As we come out of the pandemic, we want to provide a fun and safe way for our patients and IBD community to be able to come back together and get us back on track for in person events.” said Sam Wohlfeil, Community Manager for West Michigan. “We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable with as much or as little as they choose to do with the event but most importantly, we are able to come together as a community and make a difference in the fight against IBD.” 

During Take Steps, attendees and participants will be able to enjoy a number of fun and exciting pieces and will have the option to do as much or as little as they’d like. These portions of the event include: 

• The opportunity to speak with and visit vendors and sponsors. 

• Participate in the car decorating contest. 

• Receive a goodie bag filled with items for Take Steps. 

• Photo opportunities with the Take Steps Arch and various props. 

• Visit the Honored Heroes and learn about their stories. 

• Listen to and enjoy the audio program. 

• The opportunity to walk with your team around the 1.6-mile path. 

To learn more about OptiMed’s involvement in the West Michigan community, visit www.optimedhp.com.

About OptiMed Health Partners: 

OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed delivers customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed’s innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com or email info@optimedhp.com.

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation  

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to finding cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The Foundation’s mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who are affected by these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research; providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public; and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD. For more information visit www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org, call 888-694-8872, or email info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org 

Promotion Announcement: Alice Henderson, OptiMed CFO

KALAMAZOO, Mich., June 10,2021 (OptiMed Health Partners) - OptiMed, a national leader in specialty pharmacy and infusion services, today announces the promotion of Alice Henderson to Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Henderson has served as the organization’s VP of Finance for the past three years. In this role, Alice will oversee all aspects of OptiMed’s financial operations including controllership, financial planning and analysis, tax, treasury, audit, and mergers and acquisitions. Alice will report directly to Andrew Reeves, OptiMed’s Chief Executive Officer.

Alice Henderson

Henderson joined OptiMed in 2018 and has been responsible for all accounting functions, including financial planning and budgeting, preparation of financial statements, and supervision of accounting functions. Henderson has also been key in shaping the company’s culture and growth.

“With her diverse experience, strategic mindset, and strong business leadership skills, Alice will continue to aid in driving results by investing in technology and fostering the company’s culture of learning and results.," said Andrew Reeves, Chief Executive Officer. "The healthcare industry is under immense pressure to deliver value; our sector operates on low margins, high customer expectations, and the endless need to evolve. I'm excited to have Alice’s unique and valuable perspectives to advance OptiMed.”

“I am excited to take on increased responsibilities and move into the role of CFO at OptiMed,” said Henderson. “I look forward to developing and implementing business strategies that enhance the Company’s position as a market leader and add value for our stakeholders.”

Henderson is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration. As an experienced financial professional, Henderson began her career with KPMG, LLP, in Chicago. Prior to joining OptiMed, Henderson was with CDW for seven years, most recently as part of their Investor Relations team.

"I thank Alice for her dedication, and I'm especially grateful for everything she has done to support me as CEO," said Reeves. "She has helped us navigate through unprecedented times and provided tremendous thought leadership.  Alice has played a pivotal role in advancing OptiMed." 

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed’s innovative and personalized care, visit www.optimedhp.com or email connect@optimedhealthpartners.com

AZO and OptiMed Partner to Provide COVID-19 Testing at the Airport

KALAMAZOO, Mich., February 22, 2021 (OptiMedHP.com) - Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is partnering with locally based OptiMed Health Partners to provide COVID-19 testing to arriving and departing passengers as well as members of the local community. The OptiMed COVID Testing Office will open on the main floor beginning Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. The space allows for safe and private testing and is located near the baggage claim and car rental stations, with plenty of room for social distancing.

OptiMed's trained healthcare professionals, in partnership with locally based lab Genemarkers, will administer PCR testing with a 24- to 48-hour turnaround at no out-of-pocket cost. Travelers will also be able to pay $100 for rapid antigen testing that will provide results within 15 minutes. No referral is needed.

"Testing is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat this pandemic, in addition to following safety guidelines such as wearing a mask, washing hands, and social distancing," said Rob Doornweerd, Chief Operating Officer for OptiMed Health Partners. "We're proud to partner with the airport to provide our community a safe, convenient testing option that supports traveler safety."

Passengers are not required to show test results when entering the airport, checking in for a flight, or before boarding a plane; however, Doornweerd said testing is critical to mitigating the spread of COVID between communities.

Passengers should not come to the airport if they are sick or experiencing COVID-like symptoms for more information about testing and airport hours. OptiMed also offers COVID testing services at their 9th Street Kalamazoo office (6480 Technology Ave.) site and in South Haven in partnership with Moore Family Pharmacy.

"Assuring passenger safety and security is important, and we want all passengers to know that the airport is ready when they are," said Craig Williams, airport director.

ABOUT KALAMAZOO/BATTLE CREEK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:  As the Gateway to Southwest Michigan, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) serves the region's almost 800,000 people by providing top-notch facilities, offering flights to and from three of North America's finest hub airports on American, Delta, and United Airlines. Fly AZO and experience the comfort and friendliness that over 300,000 passengers enjoy yearly. For more information about the Airport and our airlines, visit www.flyazo.com.

ABOUT OPTIMED HEALTH PARTNERS: OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed delivers customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence.

Advanced Medical Strategies Announces Partnership with OptiMed Health Partners

Source: Advanced Medical Strategies, 9/24/2020

Lynnfield, MA – AMS (Advanced Medical Strategies), the leading healthcare IT platform that provides clinical insights and financial analysis of the costliest and most complex medical diagnoses, announced a new partnership with OptiMed Health Partners, a national provider of specialty and infused treatments, to provide health plan administrators benchmarked costs for high-cost specialty drugs.

“Across the healthcare marketplace, there is significant waste, substantial clinical mismanagement and complex mergers that create a whirlwind of pricing games and limited access to actual drug prices, particularly with specialty medications,” says Andrew Reeves, CEO of OptiMed Health Partners. “All this contributes to our lack-luster and unsustainable healthcare market.“

Through this strategic partnership, AMS and OptiMed Health Partners provide AMS clients access to the actual price paid charges for specialty drugs. Health plans, TPAs, plan sponsors and carriers can compare billed specialty drug charges against verifiable cost data to establish fair and reasonable reimbursement rates. In addition, AMS clients can directly engage OptiMed through AMS’ PredictRx member portal links in order to reduce costs across specific cases, multiple clients, or their entire book of business.

Specialty medications cost health plans and members more than $160 billion in 2019. While providing necessary relief to those in need, they can cost thousands of dollars per treatment and quickly become financially taxing for employers, third party administrators and members.

“Our business model is to provide clients with the most comprehensive clinical information and financial data available to guide business initiatives. By partnering with OptiMed, we’re able to enhance our offerings by providing access to real financial insight into specialty pharma costs as well as course of action to reduce drug spend immediately,” states Peter Borans, CEO and co-founder of AMS.

Both AMS and OptiMed are dedicated to making healthcare more affordable through AI-driven analytics, specialty drug price transparency, and access to clinical support that drives positive health outcomes.

About AMS
Founded in 2003, AMS (Advanced Medical Strategies) is a healthcare IT company focused on providing clients with payment intelligence that identifies, analyzes and reports on the 5% of members responsible for 50% total medical spend. Our AI-powered Predict Platform combines clinical insights and financial analysis of the costliest and most complex medical diagnoses our clients rely on to guide enterprise-wide initiatives. We believe that “Knowledge is Power”. Contact Stephanie Belschner at stephanie@mdstrat.com and visit www.mdstrat.com.

About OptiMed
OptiMed Health Partners is a national provider of specialty and infused treatments holding multiple accreditations. OptiMed is continuously setting the new benchmark in pharmaceutical pricing transparency, cost containment solutions, and clinical and patient services. Contact Rusti Greis at rgreis@optimedhp.com and visit www.optimedhp.com.

OptiMed Home Infusion Therapy Keeps Patients on Track With Their Care While Reducing Risk to COVID-19

National Home Infusion Association Issues Recommendations to Promote Patient Safety and Contain Costs

KALAMAZOO, Mich., April 6, 2020 (Newswire.com) - As COVID-19 cases spread rapidly across the U.S., there is a new call by the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) to treat patients needing specialty infusions in their homes offered by OptiMed, a home infusion pharmacy with national capabilities.

NHIA, which is a leading voice on home infusion therapy, issued a statement on March 30 encouraging the utilization of home infusion to help patients stay on track with their therapy while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

"Home infusion pharmacies have safely and effectively treated patients in the home for decades," the statement reads. "While the demand for these services by commercial payers has been largely focused on the cost-effectiveness of home infusion, this site of care has the additional benefits of freeing up hospital resources to treat those most in need and limiting exposure to pathogens. This makes home infusion a powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19."

Andy Reeves, CEO of Michigan-based OptiMed, said there’s already been an increase in transitioning patients to home infusion therapy in the past two weeks because of COVID-19. He said home infusion is not only safer and more convenient but typically is less costly.

Home infusion involves a nurse providing the patient’s infusion in the comfort of their home. Therapy providers coordinate patient care through a team of highly skilled professionals, including an infusion pharmacist, infusion nurses, care managers, and the prescribing provider, which ensures the patient is receiving optimal treatment.

“Our expertise has always been delivering patient-centered care that is safe, timely, clinically sound, and cost-effective,” said Reeves. “During COVID-19, we are committed to providing an impactful solution for patients, payers, and health systems through our ability to expeditiously transition patients on specialty infusions to receive care safely in their homes.”

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed’s innovative and personalized care, visit OptiMedHP.com.

If you or someone you know is receiving infused or injected therapies, please contact OptiMed at 877-232-2857 to discuss treatment options and the benefits of in-home services.

OptiMed Named One of 'Best & Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation®' and One of 'West Michigan's Best & Brightest Companies to Work For®'

Recognized for delivering exceptional human resource practices, innovative solutions, and an impressive commitment to their employees as well as patients

KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 2, 2020 (Newswire.com) - OptiMed Health Partners was recently named one of "Best & Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation®" and "West Michigan's Best & Brightest Companies To Work For®." Since 1993, OptiMed has continued to serve its employees as well as their patients. As industry leaders, they are equipped to change how healthcare is experienced. OptiMed keeps patient outcomes at the heart of everything they do in order to build a unified, value-based partnership with the patient, physician, and their benefits to get the appropriate medication they need when they need it.

This award recognizes companies like OptiMed that deliver innovative solutions, exceptional human resource practices, and an impressive commitment to their employees, creating richer lives and building a stronger workplace. An independent research firm evaluated applicants on several criteria, including compensation, benefits, employee solutions, employee enrichment, engagement and retention, employee education and development, employee achievement and recognition, diversity and inclusion, work/life balance, and many more.

The 2019 national winning companies were assessed by an independent research firm which reviewed a number of key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. The Best and Brightest Companies to Work for winners are not ranked. The Best and Brightest Program honored 540 nationally winning organizations from across the country out of 5,000 nominations.

With over 20 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) has identified numerous best Human Resource practices and provided benchmarking for companies that remain leaders in employment standards. OptiMed Health Partners will be honored at two awards ceremonies in 2020 to highlight the achievement.

About OptiMed: OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more, visit www.optimedhp.com.

About the Best and Brightest Programs: The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® competition identifies and honors organizations committed to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. Visit www.thebestandbrightest.com to nominate your organization.

Read the published post by clicking here.

NABP dotPharmacy Program Approves optimed.pharmacy as Safe, Credible Online Pharmacy

Kalamazoo, Mich. -​ OptiMed Health Partners announces receiving full domain approval from the .Pharmacy Verified Websites Program which enables American consumers to easily and quickly know which pharmacy sites are compliant with U.S. and state laws. Indicated on the .Pharmacy website, “Consumers can type in the name of the pharmacy's website with ".pharmacy" at the end: if the result leads to the pharmacy website, then it's legitimate.”

The .Pharmacy process includes vetting by NABP, prior to the approval of domain registration, to ensure that applicants meet all applicable Program Standards, which also address regulatory standards including pharmacy licensure and valid prescription requirements. Applicants must demonstrate licensure in good standing and compliance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are based, as well as in all jurisdictions in which they conduct business including, without limitation, dispensing or shipping prescription medications in or to a jurisdiction.

External validation of OptiMed's quality, safety, and excellence in patient care by two accrediting bodies was a large contributor to a smooth verification by the .Pharmacy Program as it guides us to uphold the best practices in healthcare.

- Jessica Land, Pharmacy Director

OptiMed believes in the highest level of quality care by obtaining accreditations from verified, reputable governing organizations. As one of the first 100 specialty pharmacies in the nation to be dually accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC), OptiMed maintains a dynamic quality assurance and performance improvement program that external accrediting bodies certify our quality and safety. Routinely conducting self-assessments in areas such as prescription turnaround time, telephone service, client satisfaction, patient adherence, and dispensing accuracy, OptiMed consistently exceeds performance goals.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national health care organization. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other health care organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed’s innovative and personalized care, visit optimed.pharmacy.

About .Pharmacy:  The .Pharmacy Verified Websites Program gives organizations a simple and straightforward way to stand apart as credible and safe. NABP reviews pharmacies with an online presence and medication-related websites to ensure that they are properly licensed and follow applicable laws and business best practices. For more information, visit nabp.pharmacy/programs/dotpharmacy.

OptiMed Health Partners Launches New Website

OptiMed invites visitors and dedicated prescribers to explore its new website

Kalamazoo, Michigan, December 21, 2019 (OptiMedHP.com) - OptiMed Health Partners, for its subsidiaries from specialty pharmacy to infusion services, designs a new website offering visitors the ultimate user-friendly experience with improved navigation, new features for patients and providers, and our aesthetics.

OptiMedHealthPartners.com and OptiMedSpecialtyRx.com are now OptiMedHP.com

Created with the user in mind, the site includes many new features to help users quickly navigate the site and find the appropriate information they need. New features include:

• Referral and Enrollment Form Button in Navigation Bar

• Rapid Response Functionality - enabling compatibility with all browsers and devices

• Full Line of Services - now you can find all of our services and support all-in-one-place

• Online Product Ordering for G.E.D. - offered individually and in bulk

We are very proud to announce the launch of our redesigned website. Visitors can find all of our services and products that OptiMed offers along with OptiMed’s vetted partners such as ASCEND and PotentiaMetrics..

Stay informed with the latest OptiMed and industry news by subscribing to our quarterly newsletter. It contains rich content with valuable and tangible tips, press releases. featured products, and upcoming drug approvals.

For more information on OptiMed Health Partners, explore their new site; email them at info@optimedhp.com, or give them a call at 877.232.2857.

Pharmacists Announce HERO Score Results, Challenging the Healthcare Industry to Deliver Measurable Improvements in Patient Outcomes and Superior Value

OptiMed's breakthrough algorithm radically changes how employers evaluate the quality and value of their specialty pharmaceutical spending.

KALAMAZOO, Mich., November 5, 2019 (Newswire.com) - OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy announced the release of a case study demonstrating the Health Economics Return & Outcomes (HERO) Score for an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient on a high-cost specialty medication.  Their breakthrough algorithm changes how employers critically evaluate the quality and value of their specialty pharmaceutical spending. 

"The calculation of the HERO Score provides valuable insight about a patient's health outcomes and the value their specialty medication provides," says Chad Henry, PharmD, CSP, a senior clinical pharmacist from OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy who led the research with a fellow colleague, Lucas Dominick, PharmD. "This could change how employers benchmark and deliver measurable improvements in patient outcomes and healthcare spending."

Chad Henry, PharmD, CSP, Senior Clinical Executive

OptiMed assists employers in evaluating the return on healthcare dollars invested from specialty pharmaceuticals, which are a major force driving pharmacy benefit costs.

Despite being utilized by only 2% of the population, these high-cost medications account for approximately 45% of the total drug spend. 1. When including drug spending under the medical benefit, this number increases to 60% of the total drug spend. 2. The correlation between the high cost of specialty drugs and the value these medications provide to employees and employers has been difficult to estimate. The HERO Score provides an understanding of outcomes that can be viewed in aggregate to empower health plans and employers to choose their healthcare investments wisely and with confidence. 

In this highlighted case study, the HERO Score demonstrates how costs and outcome variables, such as drug price, site of infusion care, patient management, patient disease control, healthcare utilization, and quality of life, impact the value obtained from the use of a specialty medication in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient. Results indicated marked improvement in the patient outcomes and quality of life over the course of a year once transitioned to OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy.  The value obtained from the patient’s medication therapy was far superior due to better disease control, improved quality of life, reduced healthcare utilization, and enhanced productivity. This emphasizes the importance of a value assessment that incorporates all the cost variables and outcomes of any given regimen. To read the case study, click here to download the findings.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence. To learn more about OptiMed’s innovative and personalized care, email connect@optimedhealthpartners.com.

About Harmonize. Healthcare:  To learn more about the Health Economics Return & Outcomes (HERO) Score, click here to download the paper or visit HARMONIZE.HEALTHCARE (H2) to learn about applying novel care strategies to positively impact your organization and truly revolutionize employee health and productivity.

Sources: (1) Express Scripts 2018 Drug Trend Report. Published Feb 2019. Available at: https://my.express scripts.com/rs/809VGG836/images/Express%20Scripts%202018%20Drug%20Trend%20Report.pdf. Accessed 8 August 2019. (2) Shah, P. Today’s Specialty Landscape. CVS Health Insights/Specialty. Available at: https://payorsolutions.cvshealth.com/insights/todays-specialty-landscape. Accessed 8 October 2019.

CEO Offers Insight on Specialty Pharmacy Distribution to Lower Costs on Podcast

Featured on the Reconstructing Healthcare podcast, OptiMed helps employers discover new specialty pharmacy distribution channels to lower costs

KALAMAZOO, Mich., October 14, 2019 (Newswire.com) - The cost of healthcare continues to rise, with the cost of employee health benefits expected to near $15,000 on average in 2019.1  As the single largest providers and purchasers of health insurance in the US, employers cover over 150 million workers and dependents, purchasing 34% of all healthcare.2  Of growing concern are numerous new and pricey prescription drugs, known as specialty pharmaceutical products, often noted as a key culprit behind rising healthcare costs.

In the Reconstructing Healthcare episode #54, podcast host, Michael Menery, introduces Andy Reeves, the Co-owner and CEO of OptiMed Health Partners. Join us as we discuss how OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy brings transparency to the market and helps employers understand and realign traditional specialty pharmacy distribution channels to lower costs.

Discussion topics include specialty drugs, specialty pharmacy vs. retail pharmacy, pharmacy benefits, misaligned incentives, price transparency, medication adherence vs. compliance, quality of care, and cost savings. Given their substantial financial investment into employee health, employers are justified in asking whether healthcare expenditures contribute to improved employee health, productivity, and the bottom line. Listen to the podcast and learn why OptiMed is a chosen partner for superior cost savings and better-quality care for patients.

About OptiMed:  OptiMed Health Partners is an independently owned and operated national healthcare organization, specialty pharmacy, and infusion services. With over 25 years of experience, OptiMed leverages personalized attention to detail to deliver customized solutions that optimize patient outcomes while partnering with other healthcare organizations to usher in a new standard of excellence.

About Reconstructing Healthcare:  Reconstructing Healthcare is a podcast series that explores what is wrong with the current healthcare system in the US, examines what drives higher healthcare costs, and exposes deficiencies in traditional insurance products. Join us as we interview companies and entrepreneurs that are providing innovative services and solutions designed to not only disrupt the health insurance marketplace but deliver lower costs and better value for your employees.

Sources:  (1) Miller, S. For 2019, Employers Adjust Health Benefits as Costs Near $15,000 per Employee. August 13, 2018. SHRM (Online). Available at: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/employers-adjust-health-benefits-for-2019.aspx. Accessed 13 Feb 2019. (2) Mercer Survey. 18 Sept. 2018. https://www.mercer.com/newsroom/mercer-survey-shows-employers-face-increase-in-health-benefit-cost-in-2018.html. Accessed 8 Oct 2019.