Alignment Health Plan Joins Forces with Suvida Healthcare to Expand Bilingual Care, Access for Arizona Seniors

Rhea-AI Summary

Alignment Health Plan (NASDAQ:ALHC) expanded bilingual, culturally attuned primary care for Arizona seniors through a new agreement with Suvida Healthcare, effective Oct 1, 2025. The partnership delivers neighborhood-based, bilingual teams in Maricopa and Pima counties and serves members in select Alignment plans, with additional access for Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes AZPlus starting Jan 1, 2026. Alignment reports it will reach more than 1.06 million Medicare-eligible adults in Arizona in 2026 and its Arizona HMO earned a 4-star CMS rating for 2026. The collaboration is positioned to address language and cultural barriers cited in Alignment’s 2025 survey and expand primary care access for Hispanic seniors.

Positive

• Reach of more than 1.06 million Medicare-eligible adults in Arizona for 2026
• CMS 4-star Arizona HMO rating for 2026 (second consecutive year)
• Partnership expands bilingual primary care in Maricopa and Pima counties effective Oct 1, 2025
• AZPlus access to Suvida model beginning Jan 1, 2026

Negative

• Suvida access limited to members in select Alignment plans, not all Arizona members
• Geographic coverage confined to Maricopa and Pima counties, excluding other Arizona regions

Insights

Healthcare Partnerships Strategist

Partnership expands bilingual, neighborhood primary care for 1+ million Medicare-eligible Arizonans; likely positive for access and membership retention.

Alignment Health Plan extends primary-care access by contracting with Suvida Healthcare, adding bilingual, neighborhood-based teams for members in Maricopa and Pima counties beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The operational mechanism is straightforward: selected Alignment MA plans gain network access to Suvida's clinics and multidisciplinary staff, increasing culturally tailored touchpoints that can improve appointment uptake and medication adherence among Spanish-speaking seniors.

The initiative depends on execution and measurable uptake. Risks include limited geographic reach within Phoenix and Tucson, the need for smooth EHR and referral integration, and the assumption that bilingual clinics will scale to match member demand. The announcement notes a CMS 4-star HMO contract for 2026, which supports perceived quality but does not guarantee utilization or cost outcomes.

Concrete items to watch: enrollment activity during the Oct. 15–Dec. 7 AEP window, real-world utilization of Suvida centers by members of the listed plans, and the rollout timing for Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes AZPlus access on Jan. 1, 2026. Expect near-term signals from membership materials, clinic appointment volumes, and any reported enrollment shifts in the coming months.

New agreement brings culturally attuned, neighborhood-based care to 1+ million Medicare-eligible adults in Maricopa and Pima counties

PHOENIX, Oct. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alignment Health Plan, an award-winning Medicare Advantage (MA) plan from Alignment Health, today announced it has expanded access to bilingual primary care for its Arizona members in Pima and Maricopa counties through a new agreement with Suvida Healthcare, as of Oct. 1.

“Our new partnership with Suvida Healthcare is about creating health equity for our Spanish-speaking members and their families, ensuring they receive the care they deserve,” said Daniel Peterson, Arizona market president at Alignment Health. “This agreement connects seniors with providers who have a deep understanding of their cultural and social realities. This kind of care improves access, medication adherence and provides resources for aging well.”

Nearly one-third of Arizona’s population – approximately 2.3 million people – identify as Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Suvida’s model aims to meet the needs of this growing demographic through holistic, bilingual care that addresses the physical, behavioral, social and cultural aspects of health.

“Partnering with Alignment Health Plan allows us to bring our mission of culturally connected care to more older adults in Arizona,” said Dr. Ana Fuentevilla, co-founder and chief health officer at Suvida Healthcare. “We are proud to offer primary care that meets our patients where they are – geographically, socially and emotionally. Together, we are removing barriers that have long prevented older adults, especially in Hispanic communities, from accessing the care they need and deserve.”

To meet the diverse needs of its members, Alignment has long invested in culturally tailored solutions that go beyond language. Its el ÚNICO (“The ONE”) plan was designed specifically for Hispanic seniors, offering bilingual services and benefits that reflect the community’s values and preferences. The collaboration with Suvida builds on this foundation, expanding access to culturally attuned primary care for members enrolled in select plans.

Suvida’s neighborhood-based centers are staffed by bilingual teams fluent in English and Spanish, and includes licensed doctors, nurses, physical and mental health therapists, clinical pharmacists, dietitians and Suvida “Guías” (Spanish for “guides.”)

The collaboration with Suvida aims to help reduce obstacles to senior health, particularly for Hispanic seniors affected by cultural and language barriers. One in five seniors report skipping care due to such barriers, according to Alignment’s 2025 Social Threats to Aging Well survey. Among those individuals, many said the challenges made it difficult to understand medical information and instructions. They also expressed concerns that their doctors or nurses may not fully understand their cultural needs.

Alignment members enrolled in the following plans can now access Suvida’s primary care providers and neighborhood centers in Phoenix and Tucson:

• The ONE (“El ÚNICO” in Spanish) + Walgreens HMO
• Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes (HMO C-SNP)
• Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Plus (HMO C-SNP)
• Alignment Health smartHMO

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, members of the new Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes AZPlus (HMO C-SNP) will also gain access to Suvida’s model of care.

In addition, for the second year in a row, Alignment’s Arizona HMO contract has earned a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026. CMS evaluates plans every year on a 5-star rating scale, with 4 stars indicating above-average performance.

Medicare’s annual enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, giving seniors nationwide the opportunity to select or change health plans for the upcoming year. In 2026, Alignment is offering seven plans in Arizona, reaching more than 1.06 million Medicare-eligible adults.¹

For more information about Alignment’s 2026 product offerings, benefits and services, visit www.alignmenthealthplan.com.

About Alignment Health
Alignment Health is championing a new path in senior care that empowers members to age well and live their most vibrant lives. A consumer brand name of Alignment Healthcare (NASDAQ: ALHC), Alignment Health’s mission-focused team makes high-quality, low-cost care a reality for its Medicare Advantage members every day. Based in California, the company partners with nationally recognized and trusted local providers to deliver coordinated care, powered by its customized care model, 24/7 concierge care team and purpose-built technology, AVA®. As it expands its offerings and grows its national footprint, Alignment upholds its core values of leading with a serving heart and putting the senior first. For more information, visit www.alignmenthealth.com.

About Suvida Healthcare
Suvida Healthcare is a multidisciplinary, primary care group designed to address the physical, behavioral, social, and cultural needs of Medicare-eligible Hispanic older adults and those who care for them in neighborhoods across the United States. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Suvida Healthcare delivers a transformative, culturally competent approach to healthcare for underserved seniors that improves the overall quality of life of its patients, their caregivers, and the neighborhoods it serves. For more information, visit www.suvidahealthcare.com.

Media Contacts
Priya Shah
mPR, Inc. for Alignment Health
alignment@mpublicrelations.com

Nora De La Rosa
Suvida Healthcare
ndelarosa@suvidahealthcare.com

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¹ 1,067,318 as of September 2025, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data, September 2025 MA State/County Penetration

FAQ

What did Alignment Health Plan (ALHC) announce on Oct 21, 2025 about Suvida Healthcare?

Alignment announced a partnership with Suvida to expand bilingual, neighborhood-based primary care in Maricopa and Pima counties, effective Oct 1, 2025.

Which Alignment Health plans (ALHC) can access Suvida primary care in 2025 and 2026?

Members in The ONE + Walgreens HMO, Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes (HMO C-SNP), Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Plus (HMO C-SNP), and Alignment Health smartHMO have access now; AZPlus gains access on Jan 1, 2026.

How many Medicare-eligible adults will Alignment (ALHC) reach in Arizona in 2026?

Alignment says it will reach more than 1.06 million Medicare-eligible adults in Arizona in 2026.

What CMS rating did Alignment’s Arizona HMO (ALHC) receive for 2026?

Alignment’s Arizona HMO received a 4-star rating from CMS for 2026.

When does Alignment’s Medicare annual enrollment run for 2026 plan changes?

Medicare’s annual enrollment period runs from Oct 15 to Dec 7, 2025.