By TRACEY DRURY
tdrury@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1609

Univera Healthcare has brought its disease management program back in-house, creating more than 30 jobs.

The company, part of the Excellus Health Plan, created 26 new jobs and six temporary positions. The in-house disease management program offers preventive services and management of chronic conditions, plus acute care and end-of-life support.

Ten of the jobs are located in the Buffalo office, including registered nurses and respiratory therapists. The other jobs will be based in Utica and Rochester.

Companywide, Excellus and its affiliates employ more than 6,500 people, primarily in Upstate.

"By bringing disease management back in-house, we are reducing cost and improving quality," said Art Wingerter, president of Univera Healthcare. "At the same time, we know that companies such as Univera Healthcare are crucial to improving the region's economy."

The service is available for Univera Healthcare's commercial, Medicare and federal employee program members, including employers that offer its ActiveUnivera coverage. The disease management program for safety net products such as Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and PlusMed was already administered in-house.

The program will be offered to most employer groups at no additional cost; while self-funded employers can buy into the plan. 

Based in Buffalo, Univera Healthcare serves more than 165,000 members across the eight-county region.