Health Alliance Plan and HAP CareSource Receive Michigan Association of Health Plans Pinnacle Awards for Improving Member Health and Well-Being

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Health Alliance Plan by Henry Ford Health and HAP CareSource have received Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) Pinnacle Awards recognizing innovative programs that improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life and address barriers to care for Michigan residents.

Health Alliance Plan received a Pinnacle Award in the Measurable Clinical Improvements category for its Diabetes Care Connection program, while HAP CareSource earned a Pinnacle Award in the Improving Member Experience Through Innovative Partnerships/Delivery Models category for its Stay Home Safe program.

HAP CareSource is a joint venture between Health Alliance Plan and Ohio-based CareSource that offers Medicaid and MI Coordinated Health (MICH) plans in Michigan.

Together, the award-winning programs reflect a shared commitment to addressing health needs both inside and outside the doctor's office through distinctive partnerships, personalized support and a focus on whole-person health.

"These awards recognize the impact that can happen when healthcare organizations work alongside community partners to meet people where they are," said Margaret Anderson, president of Health Alliance Plan by Henry Ford Health. "Whether helping members better manage a chronic condition or supporting older adults in remaining safe and independent in their homes, these programs are improving lives and strengthening the health of our communities."

Improving Diabetes Outcomes Through Personalized Support

Developed in partnership with Henry Ford Health, Diabetes Care Connection helps members manage diabetes between office visits through real-time support, education and personalized coaching.

Diabetes can be difficult to manage without consistent support, increasing the risk of serious complications and higher healthcare costs. The program connects members with ongoing guidance and resources that help them better manage their condition while addressing barriers related to nutrition, transportation and behavioral health.

"Diabetes is often a silent condition, and many people do not realize how serious it is until complications arise," said Dr. Charles Bloom, chief medical officer at Health Alliance Plan. "This program gives members the tools, education and ongoing support they need to better manage their health every day."

A 2024 analysis of 995 participating members demonstrated significant improvements in both health outcomes and healthcare costs:

• 74% of participants reduced their A1C levels.
• The percentage of members achieving an A1C level below 8% increased from 55% to 81%.
• The program helped avoid approximately $600,000 in healthcare costs.

"This recognition reflects what is possible when we connect clinical care with personalized, ongoing support," Anderson said. "It is about improving outcomes while making care more accessible and affordable for the people we serve."

Watch here: How Diabetes Care Connection Helps Members Better Manage Diabetes. 

Helping Older Adults Age Safely at Home

HAP CareSource was recognized for its Stay Home Safe program, a partnership with Henry Ford Health and Habitat for Humanity Detroit and Oakland that helps low-income older adults remain safe, independent and healthy in their homes.

The program addresses housing as a social driver of health by providing in-home safety assessments and modifications designed to reduce falls and prevent avoidable injuries. Services include installing grab bars, handrails, improved lighting and other safety enhancements.

Since launching in 2021, Stay Home Safe has served more than 270 older adults and reduced participants' risk of falls by nearly 50%.

In 2025 alone, HAP CareSource funding supported 55 patients receiving fall-prevention services. The program provided 235 grab bars and 189 motion lights, along with other home safety improvements such as handrails and raised toilet seats.

"HAP CareSource has been a vital partner in the success of our Stay Home Safe program," said Stephanie Osterland, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Detroit. "Their support has enabled us to deliver life-changing, in-home fall-prevention services to seniors who need them most, helping them maintain independence, prevent avoidable injuries and remain safely in the homes they love."

The alliance connects healthcare providers, health plan staff and housing experts through a coordinated referral process that identifies at-risk older adults and provides targeted interventions before injuries occur.

"By helping older adults in Michigan age safely and independently in their own homes, Stay Home Safe directly supports our mission to enhance whole-person health and empowers Michiganders to live healthier, fuller lives,” said Sarah Musser, president of HAP CareSource “We're grateful to our dedicated team and community partners whose passion and collaboration made this impactful program possible."

In 2025, the partnership was recognized by the World Health Organization as one of its initial Urban Health Case Studies and the only case study selected from the United States.

Watch here: How the Stay Home Safe program is making a difference.