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Banner-University Care Advantage

EIN 46-3757358 · Phoenix, AZ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BANNER UNIVERSITY CARE ADVANTAGE ("CARE ADVANTAGE") SERVES A DIVERSE POPULATION AT ANY STAGE OF LIFE, CONCERNED FOR THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THEIR FAMILIES, LOVED ONES, AND THEMSELVES. CARE ADVANTAGE CREATES THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER THROUGH CARE AND COVERAGE.

Income
$305.0 million
Spending
$319.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$2.9 million, secretary

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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. $278.2 million spent. BANNER-UNIVERSITY ("CARE ADVANTAGE") HOLDS A CONTRACT WITH THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES FOR THE OPERATION OF A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG HEALTH PLAN. THE PLAN IS A QUALIFIED PLAN UNDER MEDICARE TO PROVIDE COVERAGE TO CERTAIN ENROLLEES WHO QUALIFY AS PART OF A SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION, WHO ARE DUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR BOTH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID BENEFITS. CARE ADVANTAGE PROMOTES THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY BY ENGAGING THE FOLLOWING: (1) THE PROVISION OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS REGARDING THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY CARE ADVANTAGE TO ENROLLEES; (2) COUNSELING AND THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO ENROLLEES MAKING THE TRANSITION TO A NETWORK-BASED MANAGED CARE PLAN; (3) THE PROVISION OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS FOR CARE ADVANTAGE ENROLLEES; (4) THE COORDINATION OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES AMONG PROVIDERS IN THE CARE ADVANTAGE PROVIDER NETWORK; AND (5) THE FACILITATION OF ACCESS TO THE CARE ADVANTAGE PROVIDER NETWORK. CARE ADVANTAGE HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE PROVIDER NETWORK WHICH PROVIDES A FOUNDATION THAT SUPPORTS BOTH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER NEEDS AS WELL AS CARE ADVANTAGE'S MEMBERSHIP IN ITS 10 COUNTY SERVICE AREAS. CARE ADVANTAGE CONTINUALLY STRIVES TO HAVE A HIGH-QUALITY CONTRACTED PROVIDER NETWORK THAT EXCEEDS ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ISSUED BY REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, IS SERVICE FOCUSED, AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE IN ORDER TO MEET MEMBER NEEDS, BOTH IMMEDIATE AS WELL AS LONG RANGE. CARE ADVANTAGE MAINTAINS A FULLY STAFFED SERVICE CENTER THAT MEMBERS CAN ACCESS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN GUIDANCE ON ACCESSING NEEDED CARE. THE SERVICE CENTER CAN BE ACCESSED AT 877-874-3930. CARE ADVANTAGE CONTRACTS WITH BANNER HEALTH (BH) FOR BH TO PROVIDE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO CARE ADVANTAGE'S ENROLLEES. BH PROVIDES ALMOST ALL OF THESE SERVICES AT ITS CLINICS THROUGH ITS EMPLOYED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. CARE ADVANTAGE ALSO CONTRACTS WITH INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS ENGAGED IN THE PRIVATE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE TO PROVIDE PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO CARE ADVANTAGE'S ENROLLEES AT THE PHYSICIANS' OWN FACILITIES ON A NON-EXCLUSIVE BASIS. IN ADDITION, CARE ADVANTAGE HAS NEGOTIATED WITH SEVERAL UNRELATED HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT HOSPITAL SERVICES TO CARE ADVANTAGE'S ENROLLEES. CARE ADVANTAGE ENSURES THAT ENROLLED BENEFICIARIES ARE ADEQUATELY INFORMED ABOUT THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THE TRANSITION TO MANAGED CARE. CARE ADVANTAGE EDUCATES BENEFICIARIES REGARDING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, PROVIDING DIRECTION AS TO THE APPROPRIATE UTILIZATION OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND ENCOURAGING THE USE OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE MEASURES. CARE ADVANTAGE ALSO ENSURES THAT ENROLLED MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES OBTAIN APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE BY ENSURING THAT PROVIDERS ARE AVAILABLE AND THAT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED IN A COORDINATED MANNER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 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.