Avera is a health ministry rooted in the gospel. Our mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by christian values.

Health , Health (General & Financing)

As an essential component of the avera health integrated delivery system, avera health plans (ahp) provides low-cost, high quality health plan coverage and conducts other activities that increase the health of the community in its service area. Ahp conducts substantially all of its activities within the service area of avera health, but does conduct a small portion beyond the avera health service area to fulfill its mission of making a positive impact in the communities it serves by ensuring adequate rural health care is available. Ahp provides health insurance coverage to an underserved population including elderly and low income, high risk and medically underserved persons. Of the 88,800 total members in 2017, 10,184 of these members were medicare supplement members and approximately 35% consists of individuals or employees of small groups. Approximately 24,600 members are individuals and more than 92% of the health care exchange enrollees in the individual category were eligible to receive an advance premium tax credit, which means they were below 400% of the federal poverty limit. Avera health plans is further distinguished from the for-profit plans by its participation in the federal health insurance exchange/marketplace. Ahp has affordable, community-rated premiums which are below market, and they do not cover ahp's costs. Net medical and pharmacy claims expense resulted in a medical income ratio (mlr) of an average of 90. 1% for 2017. Significant financial support by avera health (501(c)(3)) allows ahp to remain financially viable. In addition to providing low-cost insurance coverage, ahp conducts free medical screenings at the location of its employer groups for the benefit of all employees, regardless of whether they are enrolled in ahp plans. Ahp also sponsors health education open forums, open houses, and webinars that are open to the public.