“Both CareSource and CGHC (Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative) share a member-focused philosophy with a proven track record. This is a natural partnership that will deliver even more value for the people of Wisconsin,” said Scott Markovich, executive vice president of markets and products at CareSource.
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance recently approved the affiliation between CareSource and Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative, enabling the two nonprofit organizations to close their transaction effective Jan. 1.
The decision follows the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight’s action to allow the affiliation agreement to move forward.
Cathy Mahaffey has led Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative since 2014 and will continue to lead in a new role as CEO of Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative and the CareSource market president of Wisconsin.
Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative has served the Wisconsin market by providing health insurance to individuals and families who typically cannot access health insurance through an employer.
“Since 2014, we have served more people on the individual and family market in Wisconsin than any other insurer,” said Mahaffey. “We understand the needs of our members, and with CareSource by our side, we can enhance our services and raise the bar with improved technologies and insightful solutions to better serve this population for years to come.”
The partnership with Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative was first announced in February 2024 after CareSource said a letter of intent had been signed with Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative as it pursues Marketplace contracts in the state of Wisconsin.
CareSource administers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans and is one of the largest employers the Dayton area with about 1,000 local employees. CareSource boasts an annual revenue of $11.1 billion and employs more than 4,700 people nationwide.
As CareSource expands into additional states, there is the possibility of its home offices in Dayton growing to serve those new individuals. With state expansions, there is a need for additional Dayton-based shared services, support resources and jobs, a spokesperson from CareSource said.
CareSource offers services in nine states, servicing mostly Medicaid managed care and Marketplace members, as well as covering some members who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, such as in Ohio and Georgia. Overall, its plans cover more than 2 million people.
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