oda Health is growing in Alaska due to its customizable and innovative solutions, hard-earned relationships, and commitment to excellence. “Moda Health is here in Alaska doing what is right for our members and the community,” says Regional Sales Manager Albert Fogle. “We’ve built local relationships over many years, and people can rely on and trust us.”

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Moda Health entered the Alaska market in 2004 by acquiring Delta Dental of Alaska. The company subsequently began offering health insurance in 2005 and now has a full line of affordable health plans for individuals and group plans for employers. Currently in Alaska, Moda Health has six employees, who receive on-going support from its teams in Portland. “As we are growing in Alaska with our personnel and business, our competitors in the marketplace are shrinking their footprint and number of employees in Alaska,” Fogle says. “We think it is better to employ Alaskans who understand the nature of this market. It’s better to have boots on the ground.”

In a world of automation and artificial intelligence, Moda Health is proud that its employees answer the phone and speak with customers. This allows its members and clients to interact with a real human instead of automatically being relegated to a queue. “We have a person who can actually help instead of trying to automate everything,” Fogle says. “We are still here in the people business.”

Moda Health also distinguishes itself from competitors by going into remote areas of Alaska to meet with clients. The company also takes extra steps to do what is required to satisfy customers’ needs. “At the end of the day, we do what is right for our clients, whether it’s the broker network or the members we support,” Fogle explains. “Things are going to go awry, but our job is to fix them in a timely manner and do what is right for members—we want our members to utilize the benefits they are paying for.”

In addition, Moda Health prioritizes its clients and partners by taking them to events, luncheons, and dinners. It also participates in the local community through Anchorage Project Access, the University of Alaska system, and other partners.

To remain competitive in the highly regulated health insurance industry, Moda Health focuses on optimizing the efficiency of its teams. Hence, it has developed innovative solutions through customer service, value-added products, and unique partnerships.

Moda Health is also fostering new partnerships that will further solidify its role in the industry and positively impact Alaska’s health insurance market. The company is working with two Alaska-based Clinically Integrated Networks to develop a member-focused and provider-driven health care program. The program—which will affect health care outcomes and reduce prices—will be launched in the next year or so.

In the meantime, Moda Health will continue to leverage its important partnerships and relationships to effectively meet Alaskans’ health insurance needs.