Featuring integrated health services and support exclusively for BlueCross BlueShield members, the new practice will increase access to care, enhance patient experience

Amherst, NY, January 30, 2020 – Latus Medical Care, the first independent primary care practice in the region to exclusively serve BlueCross BlueShield members, as well as members of other Blues plans, has officially opened its doors at 2350 Maple Road in Amherst. Serving its first patients in December 2019 with a revolutionary and patient-centric model, Latus offers an array of primary care and integrated services, such as preventative care and complex care for those with chronic diseases, in a thoughtfully designed, state-of-the-art space.

“We’re proud to introduce Latus Medical Care as a new approach to quality and convenient health care focused on addressing the challenges facing patients across our community, including access to care, patient experience and quality of care,” said Thomas Schenk, MD, founder and CEO, Latus Medical Care. “We look forward to serving and supporting BlueCross BlueShield members ‒ with thousands of local members in need of a primary care provider ‒ all while pushing our region’s health care system forward.”

With a focus on providing a more intuitive, patient-centric primary care experience, Latus offers each patient a dedicated primary care team to assist in coordinating care both in and outside the center. In addition to health care practitioners and clinical support teams, care collaborators will assist patients in understanding and utilizing their individual health plan coverage and help facilitate care beyond the services offered at Latus, like specialty and urgent care.

In addition to patient primary care teams, Latus offers:

  • Eleven state-of-the-art exam rooms featuring in-office screen-sharing monitors.
  • Greater appointment availability for new patients.
  • A full-service patient portal for existing patients to communicate with their care team, view lab results and more.

Latus will also offer additional services in the coming months, such as remote conferencing capabilities to accommodate patients who are unable to attend a physical appointment, nutrition counseling, behavioral health counseling and medication counseling.

“BlueCross BlueShield is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen and enrich our community, and Latus Medical Care is poised to truly transform primary care in our region,” said David W. Anderson, president and CEO, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “Latus Medical Care will remove barriers to better care for our members and help them live their healthiest lives by providing high-quality, convenient and affordable primary health care.”

The concept behind Latus Medical Care is part of a growing national trend for health care insurers to identify dedicated practices to care for their members.

“Designing a primary care practice exclusively for members of BlueCross BlueShield means we can focus on streamlining and simplifying the health care experience for our patients by integrating knowledge of their health plan network and benefits into their care, all while working toward a healthy, thriving community,” adds Dr. Schenk.

The 8,000-square-foot full-service primary care practice at 2350 Maple Road is the first Latus Medical Care location in Western New York. The independent medical provider plans to open additional locations in 2020 and beyond.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 716-688-6500. Visit latusmedicalcare.com to learn more.