Medica refers to a group of companies held by a non-profit, tax exempt holding company called Medica Holding Company. Its family of businesses include Medica Health Plans, Medica Health Plans of Wisconsin, Medica Insurance Company, Medica Self-Insured and Medica Health Management, LLC, as well as sister organizations Medica Foundation and the Medica Research Institute. Medica has the highest accreditation status, Excellent, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA®) for its Minnesota Medicaid HMO plans and commercial health plans in Minnesota and North Dakota.

History

Medica was founded by physicians in 1975 as Physicians Health Plan. It was the first open-access health plan in the state. In 1991, PHP merged with Share to become Medica. And in 1994, Medica merged with HealthSpan to form Allina Health System, an integrated organization offering both health care coverage and medical services. Medica became an independent health plan in 2001.

Membership

Medica provides health coverage to 1.5 million members. Its coverage is available to individuals, employers, third-party administrators and government programs in Minnesota and select counties in Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Provider Network

Medica’s broadest regional provider network includes 27,000 providers at more than 4,000 offices, clinics and hospitals in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. More than 96% of Minnesota providers participate in this network. Medica also offers a health plan with coverage that features access to a large national network of nearly 660,000 providers and 5,100 hospitals. In addition, Medica offers several plans that feature smaller, cost-efficient networks.

Financials

In 2010, Medica generated $4 billion in revenue. Nearly 90 percent of fully insured premium revenue was used to pay health care expenses.

Community Involvement

In 2010, Medica employees raised a grand total of $297,014 to support local charities, social services and various health initiatives in the community. The Medica Foundation provides funding to community-based initiatives and programs that support the needs of Medica’s customers and the greater community by improving their health and removing barriers to health care services. In 2010, the Medica Foundation provided $1.45 million in grants to community-based and statewide projects that address gaps in behavioral health services, early childhood health, reducing health care disparities, organizational core mission support in Greater Minnesota and general health improvement. Medica Foundation Annual Reports are available online. View Medica Foundation Annual Reports.

The Medica Research Institute was launched in 2010 to conduct research that can be translated into activities that protect health and improve lives. Current research is focused on three main themes: improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the provider system; improving the way consumers get involved in their own health; and the importance of creating environments that make it easier for people to make healthy choices. Learn more about the Medica Research Institute on its website.

Medica also partners with several community projects designed to improve the health of all Minnesotans. These include:

• Minnesota Community Measurement -– organization offering quality comparisons among provider groups and clinics
  
• Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement –- collaboration of health care organizations provides evidence-graded practical guidelines and technology assessment reports

Health Improvement

Medica offers an integrated approach for employers and members to improve health and manage the costs of care. Health improvement programs provide personalized solutions that focus on the whole person, and include a comprehensive set of preventive, fitness, employee assistance, health and wellness coaching and care coordination programs.

Number of Medica Employees

1,386

Company Locations

Headquarters 401 Carlson Parkway Minnetonka, MN 55305

Fulfillment Center 141 Cheshire Lane Plymouth, MN 55441

Regional Offices

Additional Information

• Copyright and Trademarks
• Fraud and Abuse

Updated: August 2011