Integrated Health Network makes sales pitch to health insurance brokers

Integrated Health Network of Wisconsin chose the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee as the site for kick-starting Wisconsin's largest accountable care organization aside from Aurora Health Care.

The organization formerly known as Quality Health Solutions touts a network that consists of all the major health care systems in eastern Wisconsin except Milwaukee-based Aurora in an unprecedented collaboration that promises to deliver quality care at reduced costs. Integrated Health Network executives are not specifying a percentage for the cost reduction but say that over the long haul employers will benefit from a healthier workforce that is more engaged in health care decisions.

'The U.S. health care system as it has evolved...is unsustainable and it's largely because of the costs today,' said Cathy Jacobson, president and CEO of Froedtert Health and chair of the Integrated Health Network board. 'The burden on employers is basically forcing people out of the system.'

The audience for the launch event Tuesday consisted largely of health insurance brokers who ultimately will decide whether to pitch the Integrated Health Network to their clients. Integrated Health Network includes in southeastern Wisconsin: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Columbia St. Mary's, Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

One major challenge at the outset is that the new network cannot contract with Wisconsin's major insurance carriers due to existing contractual conflicts, said Jeff Zavada, vice president of sales. The network is partnering with third-party administrators locally and regionally to deliver the health benefits to employers and their employees, he said.

Senior Reporter Rich Kirchen covers health care, sports business, politics and media/advertising for the Milwaukee Business Journal.