Oak Street Health

Oak Street Health: primary care for adults with Medicare

Oak Street Health is a network of primary care and family medicine centers for adults covered by Medicare. Its approach centers on an unhurried visit model, in which doctors take the time to listen to patients' questions and concerns, and on care coordination through a full team.

A team dedicated to coordinating care

Each patient has a team that handles tasks such as managing chronic conditions, scheduling specialist appointments, and answering Medicare questions. The company also offers a patient support line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Services and access to the clinic

The organization facilitates access through online scheduling and same-day or next-day appointments. Featured services include primary care, specialty care, and support navigating Medicare coverage. The company clarifies that it is not an insurance company, but rather provides guidance to understand benefits.

Accepted insurance coverage

Oak Street Health accepts all forms of Medicare, including Original Medicare Part B, certain Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans, and Medicare-Medicaid plans. It also accepts Medicaid as secondary insurance to the primary Medicare plan. The company states that it works with specialists within the patient's insurance network and collaborates with local hospitals that accept their coverage.

Network of centers in the United States

The organization operates an extensive network of centers across numerous states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The website allows users to find clinics and doctors by city, state, or ZIP code.

Recognition and community activity

Oak Street Health was selected by AARP as a trusted primary care provider for adults eligible for Medicare, a distinction the company attributes to its dedication to quality care. It also organizes local events — from bingo to exercise and educational activities — open to the community, with no need to be a patient of the organization.

Frequently asked questions about the care model

The company serves people with Medicare, including those with Original Medicare Part B, selected Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement or Medigap, and Medicare-Medicaid plans. Patients can keep their specialists as long as they are in their insurance network. The organization notes that costs do not change by becoming an Oak Street Health patient and that its team can help determine eligibility for Medicaid.