New Affiliation Expands Avera Health Plans Service in Western South Dakota

Avera Health Plans has announced a new affiliation with Mutual Med located in Davenport, Iowa. The new affiliation will expand the Avera Health Plans agent network in South Dakota, Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska.

"We are excited about working with Mutual Med and their network of independent agents located throughout our service area," says Rob Bates, president of Avera Health Plans. "Mutual Med will elevate the services we provide to the agent community to the next level. This relationship also demonstrates our commitment to improving access to both group and individual health insurance. Avera Health Plans wants to simplify the purchase of health insurance for our customers."

"Mutual Med's experience and agent partners will compliment the Avera Health Plans commitment to service," adds Jason White, director of Marketing at Mutual Med. "We have a proven track record of support for our agents, from quoting to approvals."

The affiliation is important because of the Avera Health Plans recent expansion of products and services in Western South Dakota. In January 2009, Avera Health Plans obtained a certificate of authority to offer heath insurance benefits in all counties in South Dakota.

Avera Health Plans administers health benefit plans for more than 44,600 members. Established in 1999, Avera Health Plans offers employee benefit programs such as small and large group health insurance, third-party administration, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, wellness programs, occupational medicine programs, employee assistance programs, life, disability, dental and vision plans. Avera Health Plans also offers health insurance for individuals and families with Avera MyPlan and Medicare products, which include AveraSELECT and AveraAdvantage.

Mutual Med has been a health and ancillary benefits wholesaler primarily focused in the Midwest for more than 20 years. Mutual Med works with thousands of brokers, providing them the top products they use to support their small group, large group and individual clients. Mutual Med's goal has remained the same, to provide its agent partners with unparalleled support in the benefits industry.

Avera Health Plans is part of the Avera System. Avera, sponsored by the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters, is the largest health care system in the region.