Independent Health Association Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
PROVIDES HEALTH-RELATED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT ENABLE AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE.
- Income
- $1.7 billion
- Spending
- $1.7 billion
- Employees
- 1,492
- Volunteers
- 421
- Highest pay
- $2.5 million, president (end 02/24) & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $1.6 billion spent. INDEPENDENT HEALTH ASSOCIATION (IHA) COORDINATES THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE THROUGH CONTRACTS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK (IPAWNY), A TAXABLE NON-PROFIT, FOR ITS COMMERCIAL AND MEDICARE HMO PRODUCTS WITHIN THE EIGHT COUNTIES OF WESTERN NEW YORK (WNY). IHA ALSO PROVIDES COVERAGE AND COORDINATES SERVICES TO ITS MEDICAID HMO PRODUCT (WHICH INCLUDES TRADITIONAL MEDICAID (MA) OFFERINGS, THE CHILD HEALTH PLUS (CHP) PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE ESSENTIAL PLAN (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016), AND THE HEALTH AND RECOVERY PLAN (HARP) (EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2016) FOR THE ARRANGEMENT OF PHYSICIAN, HOSPITAL, MEDICALLY NECESSARY HEALTH SERVICES, DIAGNOSTIC AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES LOCATED IN ERIE AND NIAGARA COUNTY. (SEE SCH O FOR ADDITIONAL DETAIL). HEADQUARTERED IN BUFFALO, INDEPENDENT HEALTH BEGAN OPERATIONS IN 1980 AND HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN RATED AMONG THE TOP HEALTH PLANS IN THE COUNTRY FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MEMBER SATISFACTION. INDEPENDENT HEALTH'S COMPREHENSIVE PORTFOLIO OF PROGRESSIVE PRODUCTS INCLUDES HMO, POS, PPO AND EPO PRODUCTS, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PLANS, TRADITIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE, INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUP EXCHANGE PRODUCTS, AND CONSUMER-DIRECTED PLANS, PLUS COVERAGE FOR SELF-FUNDED EMPLOYERS.INDEPENDENT HEALTH'S SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES INCLUDE PHARMACY BENEFIT DIMENSIONS, RELIANCE RX AND NOVA HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATORS, INC. IHA OFFERS A VARIETY OF RESOURCES AND SELF-HELP TOOLS TO ITS MEMBERS, INCLUDING AN ONLINE HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT TO GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO HELP CONTROL CURRENT AND PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS. PROGRAMS FOR MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THEIR EMPLOYERS, HELP THEM MAKE GOOD HEALTH A PART OF THEIR CULTURE. IHA OFFERS A 24-HOUR MEDICAL HELP LINE WITH ACCESS TO A REGISTERED NURSE WHO HELPS MEMBERS EXPLORE TREATMENT OPTIONS, DISCUSS NEEDED HEALTH SCREENINGS AND HELP DETERMINE APPROPRIATE CARE. IN ADDITION, INDEPENDENT HEALTH OFFERS ACCESS TO HEALTHWISE, WHICH HAS HEALTH DECISION TOOLS, A HEALTH TOPIC LIBRARY, A SYMPTOM CHECKER AND MEDICATION INFORMATION. MEMBERS MAY ALSO DOWNLOAD INDEPENDENT HEALTH'S MYIH APP TO THEIR SMARTPHONES, WHICH THEY CAN USE TO SEARCH FOR PROVIDERS, ACCESS THEIR MEMBER ID CARD, AND CHECK THEIR BENEFITS. AS A RESOURCE TO ENGAGE WITH MEMBERS AT ANY POINT IN THEIR DAY OR ANY STAGE OF HEALTH, BROOK DIGITAL HEALTH COMPANION IS A DIGITAL PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO HELP PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS PEOPLE LOOKING TO MAINTAIN THEIR GENERAL WELL-BEING AND BETTER MANAGE THEIR HEALTH VIA THEIR SMARTPHONE. THE FIRST CHRONIC CONDITION BROOK ADDRESSED WAS DIABETES. FOR MEMBERS DIAGNOSED WITH THE DISEASE, BROOK CAN HELP USERS TRACK THEIR DAILY BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS, MEALS, MEDICATIONS, SLEEPING PATTERNS AND EXERCISE. BASED ON A USER'S DATA INPUT AND ACTIVITY, BROOK CAN PROVIDE INSIGHT ON WHAT IS WORKING ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO KEEP BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS IN A SAFE ZONE, ALLOWING MEMBERS TO TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF UNDERSTANDING HOW DAILY DECISIONS AFFECT THEIR HEALTH. USERS CAN ACCESS BROOK 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, WHETHER THEY ARE IN BETWEEN DOCTOR VISITS, AT THE GROCERY STORE OR TRAVELING. BROOK BLENDS INTELLIGENT, TECHNOLOGY-BASED RESPONSES WITH THE INTERACTION AND HUMAN TOUCH THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM COMPASSIONATE, UNDERSTANDING EXPERTS. IHA'S MEDICARE FAMILY CHOICE PLAN IS A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE SPECIAL NEEDS PLAN OFFERED IN NURSING FACILITIES IN WESTERN NEW YORK. FAMILY CHOICE OF NEW YORK IS A CARE MANAGEMENT COMPANY THAT WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AREA NURSING HOMES, PHYSICIANS AND HOSPITALS TO BRING ADDITIONAL CARE - INCLUDING ENHANCED HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES - TO THE PATIENTS WHO NEED SPECIALIZED MEDICAL AND NURSE MANAGEMENT. THE PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY ASSIGNING A NURSE PRACTITIONER WHO IS SPECIALLY TRAINED IN GERIATRICS TO NURSING HOME RESIDENTS. THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE NOT ONLY THE MEMBER'S QUALITY OF CARE, BUT ALSO THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. FAMILY CHOICE'S SPECIALLY TRAINED NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS ARE ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO PROVIDE CARE AND SUPPORT AS NEEDED. THEY WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MEMBER'S PHYSICIANS AND THE NURSING FACILITY'S STAFF TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY BECOME SERIOUS AND MINIMIZE UNNECESSARY AND DISRUPTIVE EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS AND HOSPITAL STAYS WHENEVER IT'S SAFE AND APPROPRIATE. IHA ALSO OFFERS ASSURE ADVANTAGE HMO C-SNP. THIS IS A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CHRONIC SPECIAL NEEDS PLAN SPECIFICALLY DEVELOPED FOR ELIGIBLE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE AND RESIDE IN ERIE COUNTY. THIS PLAN INCLUDES PROVIDERS WHO SPECIALIZE IN TREATING CHRONIC HEART FAILURE. IT INCLUDES BENEFITS AND HEALTH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SERVE THE SPECIALIZED NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS CONDITION. IN ADDITION, ASSURE ADVANTAGE COVERS PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO TREAT MOST MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE DRUGS THAT ARE USUALLY USED TO TREAT CHRONIC HEART FAILURE. PART OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND MEDICAID REFORM EFFORTS, HEALTH HOMES ARE COMMUNITY NETWORKS OF PROVIDERS DESIGNATED BY THE STATE TO COORDINATE CARE AND SOCIAL NEEDS FOR MEDICAID MEMBERS WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS, SUCH AS HIV/AIDS, SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS OR MULTIPLE CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS. IHA ASSIGNS MEMBERS TO HEALTH HOMES AND SUPPORTS THESE NETWORKS ADMINISTRATIVELY, BILLING FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND REIMBURSING THEM. IHA OFFERS AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF SUPPORT AT NO COST TO MEMBERS FACING SERIOUS ILLNESS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH OUR PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM. THE PALLIATIVE CARE TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES A REGISTERED NURSE, SOCIAL WORKER AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PARTNERS WITH THE MEMBER'S PHYSICIAN TO COORDINATE CARE AND REDUCE AVOIDABLE HOSPITAL VISITS AND ADMISSIONS. THE PALLIATIVE CARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE OPEN AND SUPPORTIVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TREATMENT CHOICES WITH THE MEMBER AND PROVIDE THE SAME OUTREACH AND SERVICES AS CAREPARTNERS WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING MEMBERS LIVE MORE COMFORTABLY BY MANAGING SYMPTOMS IN ACCOR
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.