PrimeWest and Blue Plus

Managed Care

In March of 2007, Beltrami County Health & Human Services joined with PrimeWest and began County –Based Purchasing services to preserve access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries living in the county. Prime West Health is a Medicaid-managed health plan serving 24 rural counties which is organized through a joint powers agreement among the member counties. The member counties created Prime West to respond to the specific needs of low-income residents. This is done by integrating publicly funded health and social services with private health care services. The county based purchasing legislation of 1997 enabled counties to directly purchase health care for local beneficiaries. The legislation also provides counties with the ability to include local input when making decisions that can impact local health care.

In January of 2023, Beltrami County Health & Human Services was assigned an additional health plan option: Blue Plus. Blue Plus is a Medicaid-managed health plan serving all counties across the State of Minnesota.

As a result of the partnership of Prime West, Blue Plus, and Beltrami County, members in the program regardless of where they live (home, skilled living or Customized Living facilities) receive regular face to face visits and assessments by Case Managers consisting of Registered Nurses and Social Workers. Once the member is assessed for their needs, a Registered Nurse or Social Worker is assigned as their Case Manager. The County Case Manager is then directly responsible for implementing a collaborative process that assesses plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates options and services required to meet the member’s health and human service needs. The County case manager utilizes a process that that is characterized by advocacy, communication and resource management that promotes quality and cost-effective interventions and outcomes. County Case Managers focus on preventative health care for the member by providing education and links with appropriate providers and resources.

PrimeWest Health

• Members - for questions about health care coverage call 1-866-431-0801
• Partners and Providers - for resources and information call 1-866-431-0802
• Member Transportation call 1-888-814-6643

Blue Plus

• Members - for questions about MSHO health care coverage call 1-888-740-6013
• Members - for questions about MSC+ health care coverage call 1-800-711-9862
• Partners and Providers - for resources and information call 1-866-518-8448
• Member Transportation (BlueRide) call 651-662-8648 or 1-866-340-8648