Essence Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan Members to Receive Oura Ring and Oura Membership at No Additional Cost

ST. LOUIS, October 10, 2024 – Essence Healthcare, a leading provider of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, today announced a partnership with ŌURA, maker of Oura Ring, a cutting-edge wearable health tracker. As part of this partnership, Essence MA plan members will have access to ŌURA’s advanced biometric tracking capabilities and award-winning app at no cost, empowering them to take control of their health and wellness.

Starting in 2025, certain Essence MA members will have the option to receive a complimentary Oura Ring and a subscription to the Oura App, which provides personalized insights by monitoring sleep, activity, and other key health metrics like heart health and stress resilience. Essence will be the first and only MA plan to offer this unique benefit, which aligns with its broader strategy of integrating digital health tools to enhance wellness, prevent illness, and improve the overall member experience.

“ŌURA and Essence share a deep commitment to empowering people to take charge of their health through the use of smart, innovative technology, so this partnership is a perfect fit and a natural next step in our healthcare evolution,” said Jason Oberfest, VP of Healthcare at ŌURA. “Oura Members over the age of 65 are one of our most engaged groups, and we’re eager to serve this population more broadly alongside a highly respected and trusted Medicare Advantage plan. Together, we’re providing a game-changing solution that helps people live healthier, more informed lives."

The partnership marks a significant milestone in Essence’s ongoing efforts to enhance the healthcare experience for its members through technology. By leveraging the ability of Oura Ring to track critical health metrics such as sleep patterns, heart rate, and activity levels, Essence aims to give members real-time insights into their well-being. These data-driven insights will empower members to engage more actively in their healthcare, fostering a greater sense of ownership over their health and providing them with the tools they need to make more informed lifestyle choices."By equipping our members with Oura Ring, we’re giving them the tools to proactively manage their health and make more informed decisions every day," said Jordan Reigel, president of Essence Healthcare. "For two decades, Essence has been at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to improving the lives of seniors and Medicare beneficiaries. This partnership with ŌURA is another bold step in our mission to deliver cutting-edge healthcare solutions that grow with our members’ needs and set a new standard in personalized care."

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in St. Louis, Essence Healthcare is recognized for its innovative approach to care and its focus on patient-centered services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded Essence a 5-out-of-5-star Overall Plan Rating for three consecutive years (2022-2024), reflecting the health plan's dedication to quality, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. Essence HMO plans (H2610 contract) achieved a 4.5-star rating for 2025, and its PPO plans (H6200 contract) achieved a 4-star Overall Plan Rating for 2025. Plans under Essence’s H3189 and H4620 contracts don’t have enough data to receive a Star rating.*