(Phoenix, AZ – June 2022) Blaze Advisors, the population health management company overseeing 11 high-performance integrated ONEcare networks, announced partnerships with Banner Health, Brookstone Venture Capital, and other investors to capitalize on the rapidly expanding demand for professionally managed, technology-enabled Accountable Care Organizations.
With a specific focus on integrating behavioral health, primary care, hospitals, and social service providers, ONEcare Networks leverages data-informed technology tools to ensure that every patient with an identified behavioral health disorder receives timely and effective treatment from a team of clinical experts practicing whole-person, integrated care. By minimizing confusion and opening lines of communication, patients feel empowered to seek and continue their medical, mental health, and/or substance use treatment. ONEcare networks are self-governed and work to improve access to care, member health outcomes, and address any gaps in the local system of care.
Banner University Health Plans (B-UHP) previously announced the launch of ONEcare networks across Arizona. Scott Nordlund, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Banner Health, said, “We’re excited about this partnership with Blaze Advisors, which will allow Banner to provide easier and better access to holistic care and will help lower costs for patients with behavioral health conditions. Our decision to invest supports Blaze in expanding their model to more communities nationally, including those we serve.”
“With health costs 3.5x higher than normal, we believe the only sustainable solution is a collaboration between the medical, behavioral health, and social service organizations and we are excited to expand the ONEcare model,” said Mike Rhoades, CEO of Blaze Advisors. “We are honored to partner with such a group of passionate and committed investors. The opiate and COVID pandemics made behavioral health personal for us all.” Rhoades noted that a key part of the success of ONEcare is the “commitment and dedication of our participating providers,” who bring leadership and innovation to the table.
About Banner Health
Banner Health is one of the largest secular nonprofit healthcare systems in the country. In addition to 30 acute-care hospitals, Banner also has an academic division, Banner – University Medicine, and a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care, and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy/rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division, and a nursing registry. To make healthcare easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits, and Banner operates a free 24/7 nurse line for health questions or concerns. Patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming.
About Brookstone Venture Capital
Brookstone Venture Capital provides professional investor services and capital to technology-enabled health care, B2B software, and internet technology companies with market-proven products and services.
About Blaze Advisors
Blaze Advisors, a national leader in Population Health Management and Integrated Care, works closely with healthcare payers, providers, and community partners to operationalize and manage high-performance ONEcare networks delivering comprehensive, inclusive, and informed whole-person care designed to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Blaze Advisors has extensive operational expertise in developing clinically integrated networks, population health analytics, care coordination technologies, and clinical quality improvement programs. Each ONEcare network is augmented by the Care Optimization System which allows real-time communication, referrals, and mobile patient engagement. With over 3 million managed lives across the US, ONEcare networks provide a shared vision of whole-person care supported by a platform of population health technologies to provide comprehensive, inclusive, and data-driven improvements in health outcomes.