HealthyDakota Mutual Holdings and Crossover Health launching VitellaCare^SM advanced primary care clinics

FARGO, N.D. HealthyDakota Mutual Holdings announced today the launch of VitellaCare^SM, a new network of advanced primary care clinics in North Dakota managed by Crossover Health. This model of primary care provides a holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. VitellaCare advanced primary care clinics will offer in-person and virtual access to comprehensive healthcare services and proactive health management.

VitellaCare will provide patient-focused care for members and enable coordination across clinical and non-clinical specialists. This approach is intended to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and to help patients avoid severe interventions and potential health crises. Similar clinics have achieved up to 35% reduction in a client’s total cost of care by reducing the need for more expensive emergency and specialty care and increasing the quality of care.

“From the moment a person starts with VitellaCare, they will experience an enhanced level of care and support,” said Dan Conrad, President and CEO of HealthyDakota Mutual Holdings. “Working alongside their primary care provider, patients will spend more time with a healthcare team that is assessing their needs and getting upstream of any issues to improve health outcomes and affordability.”

Market trends across the HealthyDakota companies indicated a high need for advanced primary clinics like VitellaCare in North Dakota. According to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation’s Social Determinants of Health Report, North Dakota has a substantial shortage of primary care and behavioral health providers despite low uninsured rates and advances in virtual care. VitellaCare will expand these resources to help address the shortage with in-person and virtual care services.

Further, BCBSND medical claims data shows a significant drop in routine and preventive care during the pandemic, and some of that care is slow to return to pre-pandemic levels, especially preventive screenings. Missed prevention opportunities are a primary driver in healthcare costs because they can lead to costly complex conditions and interventions.

“With the demands on provider systems today, patients may experience difficulty in accessing care, limited time with their care team, and complex follow up after an appointment,” said Conrad. “That’s why we are helping bring the advanced primary care clinic model to North Dakota, which focuses on ease of access, more time with the provider, and support after the visit for follow ups.

Crossover Health has opened advanced primary care clinics across the country in partnership with a variety of organizations, customizing their approach to the needs of the community they serve. They have proven their approach by delivering improved health outcomes and customer experience scores while also reducing the total cost of care.

The first VitellaCare clinics are anticipated to launch by the end of this year.

About HealthyDakota Mutual Holdings

HealthyDakota Mutual Holdings is a parent company that supports Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and several other subsidiaries. HealthyDakota is helping advance the health and well-being of the people and communities it serves and supports in North Dakota by continually striving to deliver value while responding to market demands. Whether helping process and administer benefits in the most efficient manner possible, providing opportunities for affordable health and supplemental benefits, or directly supporting wellness education and programming, HealthyDakota’s goal is to invest in solutions and brands that make a positive contribution on overall health and well-being. Visit healthydakota.com.

About Crossover Health

Crossover Health is a leader in delivering holistic, value-based care that’s proven to lower costs, improve outcomes, and provide an exceptional patient experience. The company’s national medical group provides care through a collaborative, interdisciplinary Care Platform inclusive of Primary Care, Physical Medicine, Mental Health, Health Coaching, Occupational Medicine, and Care Navigation. Crossover goes beyond traditional sick care to focus on prevention and whole person wellbeing. They build trusted relationships with members and flexibly surround them with care that’s accessible in-person, online, and anytime. By combining a sophisticated approach to data analytics that incorporates social determinants of health, Crossover delivers concrete results and measurable value for employers, payers, and most importantly, members. To learn more, visit crossoverhealth.com or follow us on social media @crossoverhealth.