Two well-respected not-for-profit health plans in New York, VillageCareMAX and Elderplan/HomeFirst, have agreed to merge and form what will be one of New York’s largest not-for-profit health plans.
The two not-for-profit equals share the same values and mission driven commitment to providing high-quality, member-centric care.
The newly combined health plan will unite the expertise and resources of both organizations to drive better care for individuals who have been traditionally underserved, harnessing the opportunities that greater scale of nearly 100,000 members will provide. Additionally, this merger will provide greater ability to compete in the marketplace and address any regulatory challenges that may come in a rapidly evolving landscape.
“What makes this agreement so unique is that it is additive. We are coming together as two well-respected, community-based health care organizations that are driven by individuals’ needs, and we’re building on that,” said Emma DeVito, President and CEO of VillageCare. Ms. DeVito will be retiring at the end of 2025.
“Managed care organizations like ours are competing with much larger for-profit health plans.” said David Wagner, President and CEO of MJHS Health System and Elderplan/HomeFirst. “By bringing together our two complementary organizations under one new plan, we aim to benefit from greater scale, enhance the services we are able to offer and support future growth, allowing us to increase our investment in member care and advancing our shared commitment to the people and communities we both currently serve.” Mr. Wagner will become President and Chief Executive Officer of the new plan.
At this time a name for the plan has not been established. The two plans expect the merger to close in early 2026, pending all regulatory approvals.
About VillageCareMAX
VillageCareMAX is the not-for-profit, managed health care plan for VillageCare. With over 45 years of experience in delivering high quality care to New Yorkers, the organization offers home and communitybased services to ensure that individuals receive the right service at the right time and place. In addition to MLTC, VillageCareMAX offers Medicare Advantage plans that serve individuals that are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as lower income individuals. VillageCareMAX’s nearly 40,000 members are quite diverse; 2 in 3 members’ first language is not English.
VillageCareMAX operates in New York City’s 5 boroughs, as well as Westchester, Nassau and Putnam counties. For more information visit villagecaremax.org
About Elderplan/HomeFirst
Elderplan/HomeFirst, a participating agency of MJHS Health System, is a not-for-profit health plan that shares the organization’s 118-year commitment to caring for vulnerable members of the community with compassion, dignity and respect. Founded in 1985 as one of the original Social HMO demonstration projects in the United States, Elderplan remains dedicated to closing gaps in care by offering New Yorkers of all backgrounds a range of high-quality Medicare, dual Medicare and Medicaid, as well as long-term care plans for members living at home, in nursing homes, assisted living communities and independent care settings. HomeFirst, Elderplan’s managed long-term care plan for Medicaid beneficiaries, opened enrollment in 2001 and is one of the original MLTC plans in New York State. Elderplan/HomeFirst cares for members across New York City, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Monroe counties. For more information visit elderplan.org
