Harken Health, UnitedHealth’s primary care-focused startup, will shut down

UnitedHealth subsidiary Harken Health will be closing its doors in its two core markets, Chicago and Atlanta, only two years after beginning to offer plans.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Harken suffered financial problems from the start, losing $64 million in 2016 and needing $120 in cash from UnitedHealth. Its primary care-focused plan, where members were offered unlimited doctor visits at Harken clinics with no copays, was offered on Georgia's and Illinois’ Affordable Care Act exchanges before 2017. It still offered off-exchange plans with premiums starting at $286 per month with a $7,000 deductible. 

The insurer said members will be covered through the end of the year.

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John Gregory, Senior Writer

John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.

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