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Sidecar Health and Kettering Health Join Forces to Enhance Healthcare Access

In an important step for healthcare accessibility, Sidecar Health has partnered with Kettering Health to offer its members in Southwest Ohio improved access to healthcare services. This collaboration establishes a network whereby Sidecar Health members can seamlessly engage with Kettering Health’s extensive network of 14 medical centers and numerous outpatient facilities, effectively removing many traditional barriers faced in the healthcare system.

The cornerstone of this partnership is a commitment to transparency and ease for both patients and healthcare providers. With Sidecar Health's unique model, members can now view fixed pricing for services directly within the member portal. This initiative allows patients to plan and understand their healthcare costs better, making visits easier and more straightforward.

Patrick Quigley, CEO of Sidecar Health, expressed the ethos behind the partnership: “This partnership shows how insurers and providers can work together to simplify care, not complicate it.” He highlighted how the removal of administrative hurdles can lead to more focus on patient care rather than paperwork, a sentiment echoed throughout the healthcare industry.

Streamlining Healthcare Services

Under the traditional healthcare insurance model, patients often encounter numerous obstacles such as narrow networks, prior authorizations, and complex paperwork. Sidecar Health aims to revolutionize this experience by offering a simple Benefit Amount for each covered service, which reflects the typical local cost of care. Members can utilize this amount with any healthcare provider, providing them with both flexibility and choice.

When a member selects a service that costs less than their assigned Benefit Amount, they receive the difference back. Conversely, if the service exceeds that amount, the member is responsible for paying the additional cost. This model encourages patients to make conscientious health choices while retaining the ability to choose their preferred providers.

Benefits for Patients and Providers

The collaboration with Kettering Health further builds on Sidecar Health’s growing initiatives across Ohio, which include partnerships with recognized systems like ProMedica and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Unlike conventional insurance networks that limit choices, this partnership is designed to bolster operational efficiency while enhancing healthcare access.

According to Quigley, “By making care at Kettering Health easier to navigate, we're raising the standard for what people should expect from their insurance.” This endeavor not only aims to improve member satisfaction but also underscores a broader strategy to minimize bureaucratic red tape in healthcare delivery.

A Vision for Better Healthcare

As a faith-based, nonprofit health system, Kettering Health operates with a mission to uplift community health standards through accessible education and service. With a network encompassing over 700 board-certified providers and multiple outpatient locations, it remains dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of western Ohio.

Moreover, the innovative model presented by Sidecar Health lowers healthcare costs by empowering individuals to make informed decisions without traditional insurance limitations. By eliminating prior authorizations and fostering transparency, members have greater control over their healthcare interactions.

In this new age of healthcare, partnerships like that of Sidecar Health and Kettering Health signal a transformative shift. The result is a system that prioritizes patient empowerment, choice, and transparency, ensuring that individuals can pursue quality healthcare without unnecessary complications. As the healthcare landscape evolves, such collaborations are essential for fostering a more accessible, supportive, and effective system for all.

For more information on Sidecar Health and Kettering Health, please visit their respective websites.