Two operators of long-term care facilities in Iowa — Care Initiatives and Accura Healthcare — have formed a partnership with American Health Plans, the companies announced Tuesday. The partnership, which will be implemented in 65 facilities across the state, will give residents of participating Care Initiatives and Accura Healthcare locations the opportunity to join American Health Plans’ provider-owned Institutional Special Needs Plan. These Medicare Advantage special needs plans specifically cater to Medicare recipients who live in skilled nursing facilities. The plans deliver a coordinated care model that addresses all needed medical treatment and preventive services supported by TruHealth, an integrated care team that is led by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to provide individualized health care services. An American Health Plans spokeswoman said that these are the first two Iowa-based provider groups to partner in what is currently the only provider-owned ISNP in the state, and that they anticipate more Iowa groups will join. The plan, which is licensed by the Iowa Insurance Division as an HMO, is available in 38 Iowa counties currently and may expand to additional counties based on provider interest, she said. American Health Plans is a division of American Health Partners Inc., which is based in Franklin, Tenn., and now operates in 10 states. It markets itself as the largest provider-owned ISNP in the U.S., with plans to enter 50 new counties in 2023.