Duke Health sets up insurance system for Triangle firms

The Carelink-Duke Medical Home plan, available in Durham, Alamance, Orange, Granville, Person, Vance, and Wake counties, will include Duke's nine affiliated hospitals, more than 250 primary care and more than 650 specialty care practice locations.

“We’re pleased to offer a new product to employers that will help them effectively manage their health care costs while providing their employees access to the physicians and facilities of one of the country’s leading academic medical centers in Duke Medicine,” Tracy Baker, chief executive of Coventry Health Care of the Carolinas.

Carelink's coverage is built around the medical-home model, which allows primary-care physicians to use electronic medical records to coordinate patient care through an established network of hospitals, outpatient facilities and specialists.

“We look forward to delivering the outstanding level of primary and specialty care to Carelink members that has earned Duke University Health System its reputation for excellence nationally and internationally,” Dr. Thomas Owens, chief medical officer for Duke Health, said in a statement.

In addition to offering access to Duke’s physician network, Carelink will provide members the option of selecting some other community-based providers.