Jason Landers (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG — Highmark Inc. on Aug. 1 launched a new managed care organization, Highmark Health Options West Virginia, that will be headquartered in Parkersburg.

The insurer is working with 10 local frontline nonprofits as part of a high-performing social care network program addressing key health-related social needs in the communities where its members live, the company said.

One in three Americans, more than 115 million people, are insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans, including nearly 6 million federal employees.

Highmark Health Options enables Highmark West Virginia to provide high-quality, high-value, affordable coverage to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program beneficiaries, the company said. Highmark Health Options West Virginia will be headquartered in the Highmark West Virginia building in downtown Parkersburg.

Highmark Inc., Highmark Health Options West Virginia’s parent company, has been serving Medicaid enrollees for more than 30 years. Among the 10 largest health insurers in the United States, Highmark Inc. cares for more than 500,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

“As a lifelong West Virginian with deep generational family ties, it’s an honor and privilege to lead our efforts to help our neighbors in need live better lives,” said Jason Landers, president of Highmark Health Options. “This is a responsibility that we don’t take lightly. We are grateful for the state’s support in this critical endeavor to improve the health and wellness of West Virginians throughout the state through innovative care and a robust social health network.”

In January, the West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services, which is responsible for the administration of the state’s Medicaid program, approved Highmark Health Options’ application to be a managed care organization option for Medicaid and C.H.I.P.-eligible West Virginians. The statewide contract runs for four years.

The state of West Virginia recently completed a comprehensive review of Highmark Health Options. The onboarding review included a detailed exploration of policies, procedures, systems, member services and marketing.

“Readiness review was among the most important periods of our young life,” Landers said. “We put everything we have into it to ensure full compliance with BMS standards. Nothing is more important to us than compliance and quality. We want to set the quality benchmark for state MCOs.”

The size of the workforce at Highmark Health Options will be determined by member enrollment levels. Open positions and the application process can be found at wv.highmarkhealthoptions.com.

“This line of business will be serviced in West Virginia by West Virginians,” Landers said. “Our West Virginia workforce strategy prioritizes hiring staff located in and working from West Virginia.”

Highmark Health Options West Virginia’s direct investment in the state extends beyond workforce opportunities. Through the extension of a program that’s demonstrated good success in Pennsylvania, the company has built a growing social care network of local frontline nonprofits and community-based organizations – including Facing Hunger, the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute and Change Inc. – that will address the foremost health-related social needs of its members and the communities where they live. Community organizations and nonprofits interested in learning more about the program and its benefits can contact HHOWV@highmark.com.

“We are well-prepared for success on day one with a comprehensive provider care network, mutually beneficial relationships with frontline nonprofits and community organizations that will address our members’ health-related social needs and having successfully completed a rigorous state onboarding process. We are energized and ready to go,” Landers said.

First-time Medicaid and C.H.I.P. beneficiaries can enroll through wvpath.wv.gov, call 1-877-716-1212 or go to their Department of Human Services office. Current beneficiaries interested in switching to Highmark Health Options can go to mountainhealthtrust.com/enroll or call 1-800-449-8466.