Coronavirus: Travis County-Owned HMO Launches Robust Response

AUSTIN, TX — The county-owned health maintenance organization is bolstering its efforts to assist those at higher risk for contracting the new coronavirus by pro-actively calling customers to check on their health, answer questions and get them enrolled in free tele-medicine services and more, officials said.

Sendero Health Plans, Inc. — a community-based nonprofit Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) owned by the Travis County Health District that's known as Central Health — describes its mission as one aimed at improving the health of the community by providing affordable, quality healthcare coverage, especially for Travis County residents with low income.

Last week, Sendero staff launched an urgent live telephone outreach initiative to the top 10 percent of its members most at-risk for COVID-19 — including former Central Health Medical Access Program (MAP) members now insured with Sendero. Other high-risk individuals — such as those over 60 years of age or those with one or more health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, cancer, asthma and those who have had transplants — were also called, officials said.

The outreach occurred once members were identified through age and claims data, officials noted.

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our members and we want to make the current difficult times a little easier to endure,” Sendero spokesman Rudy Ybarra said in a prepared statement. “We encourage members who may be impacted by the COVID-19 crisis to reach out to us to discuss how we can assist them in this time of need. This might include discussing latest health and safety recommendations for themselves and family, assisting with enrollment in our free telemedicine, making special arrangements on premium payments to ensure coverage, or navigating reporting income changes.”

Sendero said they additional steps have been taken to assist its members in response to the growing COVID-19 threat — chiefly by not requiring co-payments or cost sharing for COVID-19 testing with in-network providers and laboratories and they are also offering free telemedicine consultations to members.

Moreover, Sendero is also reminding area residents with Affordable Care Act (ACA) health coverage from the federal Health Insurance Marketplace to update their estimated income for 2020 if it is lower than originally anticipated.

“We want our members and the community to know if you expect your estimated income for 2020, including unemployment benefits, to be lower than you originally reported, you may be able to receive or increase premium payment assistance to lower your monthly payment,” Ybarra said. “This may include the opportunity to change to a Sendero plan with better benefits for you. At the very least, we want to help you maintain your healthcare coverage when it matters most.”

The Sendero spokesman added; "It is important to note that area residents who have experienced a job loss, change in income or have lost health coverage in the past 60 days or who expect to lose health coverage in the next 60 days, may be eligible for health insurance and help with their monthly bill through Special Enrollment from the Marketplace.”

To update current income, the general public and members can call Sendero during business hours for assistance: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 844-800-4693. Those without insurance can go to the marketplace or SenderoHealth.com or call 844-800-4693 to determine if they are eligible to purchase an ACA health plan.

About Sendero Health Plans Inc.

Formed in 2011, Sendero Health Plans, Inc. is a community-based nonprofit Health Maintenance Organization owned by the Travis County Health District, known as Central Health, dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing affordable, quality healthcare coverage, especially for Travis County residents with low income. Sendero offers its IdealCare and SelectCare plans on the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace.