The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, CDPHP announce planned affiliation

Two of New York’s leading not-for-profit health care companies are teaming up to improve the quality, experience, and affordability of care for residents across the state.

The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, the parent company of Univera Healthcare and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and CDPHP^®, today announced plans to form an affiliation that will allow the health insurers to maintain their local brands and identities while gaining economies of scale through shared technologies, systems, processes, and resources as part of one corporate family. 

If the affiliation is approved by state and federal regulators, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies would become the parent company of CDPHP, Excellus BCBS and Univera Healthcare.

“As we celebrate 40 years of CDPHP delivering high-quality, affordable health care – and as I mark 16 years of leading this great organization – it gives me tremendous pride to announce our plans to partner with The Lifetime Healthcare Companies,” said CDPHP president and CEO Dr. John D. Bennett. “It was important for us to partner with a not-for-profit health plan that shares in our mission of driving better health outcomes, increasing member satisfaction, and controlling the rising cost of care in the combined communities we serve.”

Univera Healthcare, Excellus BCBS, and CDPHP are not-for-profit, mission-driven organizations whose names are synonymous with quality. Working together, they will combine resources, leverage best practices, and develop new and innovative ways to improve the quality, affordability, and experience of care for millions of New Yorkers. If the affiliation receives regulatory approval, each plan will remain local and highly responsive to the unique needs of their respective communities. 

“I’m excited to partner with CDPHP to work together on quality, affordability, and access to health care in our respective regions,” said Jim Reed, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies president and CEO. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for the reputation CDPHP has built in the Capital Region and the work of the health plan. It just makes sense to partner with such a trusted, mission-driven not-for-profit whose culture aligns so closely to ours.”

CDPHP and The Lifetime Healthcare Companies have announced their intent to affiliate with the appropriate government agencies. While the plans await regulatory approval, it’s important to understand that services will continue as usual for members, providers, employers, and strategic partners.

The boards of directors of CDPHP and The Lifetime Healthcare Companies unanimously approved the affiliation.

“As a physician founded and guided health plan, the CDPHP board of directors knew it was important that we find a health plan that puts patient care first. I am pleased to say that we have found a likeminded partner with The Lifetime Healthcare Companies,” said chair of the CDPHP board of directors Dr. Michael DeVito. “We look forward to working alongside The Lifetime Healthcare Companies as we continue our mission of providing access to high quality, high satisfaction care in the communities we serve.”

“We're confident that The Lifetime Healthcare Companies and CDPHP will accomplish even more together with this affiliation,” said Faheem Masood, chair of The Lifetime Healthcare Companies boards of directors. “The health insurers are likeminded in mission, and their shared commitment to our communities will help make health care better for us all.”

CDPHP, headquartered in Albany, NY, and The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, headquartered in Rochester, NY, serve largely different areas. CDPHP currently employs 1,400 people in the Capital Region and beyond and serves 400,000 members in 36 counties. The Lifetime Healthcare Companies employs about 4,500 New Yorkers and serves 1.5 million members in the 39 counties of upstate New York. 

About The Lifetime Healthcare Companies

The Lifetime Healthcare Companies is a not-for-profit holding company that finances and delivers health care services in Upstate New York. Its affiliates include:

• Univera Healthcare -  A nonprofit health plan serving the eight counties of Western New York. 
• Excellus BlueCross BlueShield - A nonprofit health plan and independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association serving 31 counties of Upstate New York.
• Lifetime Benefit Solutions, Inc. - A full-service, third-party administrator offering reimbursement accounts, COBRA and other employee wellness-related plans. 
• MedAmerica Insurance Company - MedAmerica offers long-term care insurance to both individuals and employer groups.

About CDPHP

Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused, community-based, not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality, affordable health insurance throughout New York. The CDPHP family of companies includes: 

• CDPHP & CDPHP Universal Benefits Inc. – A not-for-profit, community-based health plan serving 400,000 members in 36 counties across upstate New York.
• CCP TASS – A management services organization (MSO) that provides the administrative, back-office services needed to support Community Care Physicians. 
• Strategic Solutions – A full-service medical billing and practice consulting company offering a comprehensive, sophisticated approach to physicians and hospitals. 
• ConnectRx – Full-service, community-based pharmacy offering superior customer service and free home delivery to patients in New York’s Capital Region.