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INDEPENDENT HEALTH ASSOCIATION INC

BUFFALO, NY · EIN 161080163 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE E99 · Health Care · Very Large (>$50M) · independenthealth.com
revenue
$1.7B
expenses
$1.7B
net assets
$425.5M
employees
1,492
volunteers
421
program ratio
91%
mission · from form 990

PROVIDES HEALTH-RELATED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT ENABLE AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Independent Health Association Inc is a Buffalo-based health care organization that provides health-related products and services to improve access to quality care. Through its foundation, it sponsors community wellness programs including fitness classes, bike-sharing, healthy food initiatives, and family health events across Western New York. The organization partners with local institutions to promote physical activity, nutrition, and preventive health in the region.

named programs · 10 · from sources

What they call their work

Buffalo RiverWorks Sports Adventure Camp
Offers a summer camp for children ages 9–13 featuring supervised outdoor activities including ziplining, kayaking, and team-building games.
Community Health Day
Hosts a free admission day at the Buffalo Museum of Science featuring fitness activities, health screenings, educational programs, and giveaways.
First Night® Buffalo
Hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration with family-friendly programming, including free online shows and Party Packs, promoting healthy, substance-free festivities.
Fitness in the Parks
Offers nearly 500 free outdoor fitness classes such as Zumba, yoga, and circuit training at 22 parks across Western New York in partnership with the YMCA.
Food Truck Tuesdays
Sponsors weekly food truck events at Larkin Square with healthy menu options and free giveaways; promotes nutritious eating through the Healthy Options® program.
Good for the Neighborhood
Distributes free fruits and vegetables and health resources at various locations in Buffalo and Niagara Falls to support nutrition and wellness.
Kids Run
Hosts a free 1.8-mile family-friendly walk/run event in Delaware Park for all ages, including a mini dash for young children, with snacks and prizes.
Outer Harbor Activities
Provides free outdoor fitness classes, kayak rentals, and access to the Independent Health Wellness Trail at Outer Harbor Buffalo, with member discounts and bike-sharing access.
Reddy Bikeshare
Provides access to over 500 bikes at more than 100 stations in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, promoting active transportation and recreation; offers discounts to Independent Health members.
Wellness Walks at Tifft
Hosts free weekly guided nature walks at Tifft Nature Preserve to encourage physical activity and connection with nature for all ages.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Telehealth and Urgent Care Access 1 activity
    • Delivers telehealth and remote clinical support services
      Provides 24/7 access to registered nurses via a Medical Help Line and offers on-demand virtual consultations through Teladoc, enabling members to receive medical advice by phone or mobile app at any time.
  • Healthcare Provider Directories and Clinical Support Services 1 activity
    • Expands access to pharmacy and provider networks
      Provides members with access to both local and national provider networks and a pharmacy locator tool to ensure care is available when and where needed.
  • Community Wellness Movement Classes 1 activity
    • Hosts free outdoor fitness classes and wellness events
      Partners with the YMCA to offer nearly 500 free outdoor fitness classes annually across 22 parks in Western New York through the Fitness in the Parks program. Hosts weekly guided wellness walks at Tifft Nature Preserve and organizes seasonal events such as Sports Adventure Camp for children and "Good for the Neighborhood" health fairs that include free produce distribution.
  • Organized Community Cycling Events 1 activity
    • Operates community fitness and active living programs
      Runs the Reddy Bikeshare program with over 500 bikes across Buffalo and Niagara Falls, supports more than 800,000 miles of travel since 2016, and hosts events like the 100-Mile Challenge and Bike Month contests. Offers free public access to the Kayak Launch and Wellness Trail at Outer Harbor Buffalo.
  • Patient Portal and Digital Health Access 1 activity
    • Provides digital and customer support services for members
      Offers live chat, email, and phone support for members, including dedicated assistance for New York State employees. Maintains a secure online portal and MyIH mobile app for policy access, updates, and provider communications, including the monthly SCOPE newsletter.
  • Community Health Fairs and Screenings 1 activity
    • Supports community health initiatives and local partnerships
      Co-presents Healthy Options Restaurant Week to promote healthy dining and sponsors Community Health Day at the Buffalo Museum of Science. Hosts health and wellness activities at the Medicare Health Hub in Depew and operates the Independent Health Gym and Wellness Center in East Buffalo to serve local neighborhoods.
  • Self-Sufficiency Empowerment Workshops 1 activity
    • Supports employee wellness and professional development
      Offers wellness programs covering financial, physical, nutritional, and mental health for employees, along with adoption assistance and education support for professional growth. Provides volunteer opportunities for staff engagement in community initiatives.
  • Data & Technology Capacity Building 1 activity
    • Utilizes data analytics and tailored employer solutions
      Uses data analysis to create personalized insights for members and employers, helping control costs and improve health outcomes. Delivers localized expertise to help employers customize health benefits and enhance workforce well-being.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Administers member benefits and wellness incentives
      Offers a nutrition benefit providing up to $500 annually for individuals and $1,000 for families on fresh produce, with additional rewards through Tops Friendly Markets. Provides quarterly OTC allowances for wellness essentials, hearing aid benefits via Start Hearing, vision coverage, and personal emergency response systems (PERS) for Medicare Advantage members.
    • Provides health insurance plans and managed care services
      Offers Medicaid Managed Care (MediSource), Child Health Plus, The Essential Plan, and Health and Recovery Plans (HARP) for adults with behavioral health needs, providing coordinated access to primary, mental, and addiction health services. Also serves Medicare Advantage members through comprehensive coverage options.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.73B
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$1.70B98%
Investment income$35.23M2%
Other revenue$690K
expenses
Total expenses$1.75B
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$90.60M
Grants paid out$3.22M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$776.72M
Cash$12.44M
Investments$135.08M
Liabilities$351.26M
Net assets$425.46M
Liquid reserves1.0 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 25
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHAEL W CROPP MD PRESIDENT (END 02/24) & CEO 32 $2.49M
JOHN REID RODGERS EVP-CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 34 $1.95M
PATRICIA C CLABEAUX EVP-CHIEF HR OFFICER 28 $1.28M
JAMES DUNLOP TREAS, EVP CFO/PRES. (END/BEG 02/24) 33 $1.25M
ANTHONY BILLITTIER EVP-CHF MEDICAL OFCR 22 $1.16M
KENNETH SODARO SEC -EVP-GENERAL COUNSEL 26 $629K
ERIC J DECKER SVP-INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CIO 33 $624K
RICHARD M ARGENTIERI SVP-CHIEF SALES & MARKETING OFFICER 33 $608K
JOHN MINEO FORMER OFFICER (END 04/23) 0 $598K
ROBERTA D RIFKIN SVP-GOVT AFFAIRS & STRAT PRTNRSHPS 27 $593K
CHERYL FRIEDMAN SVP-HEALTH CARE SRVCS. (END 9/24) 21 $569K
MARGARET STEFFAN SVP-FINANCE & CAO (END 11/24) 20 $567K
AMIN M SEREHALI SVP-CHIEF DATA & ANALYTICS OFFICER 38 $532K
ANTHONY MONTAGNA SVP-CHIEF NETWORK OFFICER 29 $499K
ANNE O'NEILL SVP-CHIEF RISK OFFICER 32 $467K
JARED GROSS EVP-CFO/TREASURER (BEG 02/24) 27 $458K
DAVID SHUTE SVP-OPERATIONS - (END 11/24) 22 $446K
ROBERT TRACY SVP-GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS 33 $439K
TIMOTHY HALEY MEDICAL DIRECTOR-MEDICAL POLICY & UM 12 $419K
DAVE MIKA SVP-BUSINESS SERVICES & OPERATIONS 32 $415K
DEIRDRE WHEAT MED DIR-QUALITY & POP. HEALTH MGMT 19 $413K
PETER GHIL SVP-CHIEF ACTUARIAL OFFICER 42 $390K
JOSHUA ZALEN VP-IT SERVICE OPERATIONS 29 $383K
JONATHAN BUROW VP-CUST EXPERIENCE & DIGITAL TRANS 33 $380K
MIKE REILLY SVP-CHF HC INNV. & STRAT. (END 7/24) 14 $360K
relationships · 27

Who they work with

  • Buffalo Bills Partner — Partners as Official Health & Wellness Partner to promote health and wellness challenges.
  • Buffalo Museum of Science Partner — Sponsored Community Health Day with free admission and health exhibits.
  • Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Partner — Co-presents Healthy Options Restaurant Week to promote healthy dining.
  • Buffalo RiverWorks Partner — Collaborates with Independent Health as the official health and wellness partner, offering member discounts and hosting a sponsored youth Sports Adventure Camp.
  • Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals Partner — Co-presents Healthy Options Restaurant Week to promote healthy dining.
  • Conduent Partner — Former vendor partner that provided claims auditing and payment activities for Independent Health.
  • ECMC Partner — Supported the opening of a state-of-the-art breast health center.
  • GObike Partner — Collaborates on Bike Month events, SkyRide, and bike safety initiatives in Western New York.
  • Independent Health Foundation Partner — Collaborates with Independent Health on community health initiatives in Western New York.
  • Jericho Road Community Health Center Partner — Collaborates to operate The Independent Health Gym and Wellness Center in East Buffalo.
  • Larkin Square Partner — Hosts Food Truck Tuesdays sponsored by Independent Health, featuring healthy menu options and special event nights with giveaways.
  • LinkedIn Partner — Partners with LinkedIn to connect with job seekers and share career opportunities.
  • NY State of Health Government — Partners with NY State of Health to offer state-sponsored health plans including Child Health Plus and The Essential Plan.
  • NYS Department of Health Government — Administers Medicaid programs in partnership with Independent Health, including MediSource and MediSource Connect.
  • New York State Department of Civil Service Government — Government agency administering the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) in partnership with Independent Health.
  • Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions Partner — Jointly operates the pharmacy portal for participating pharmacies.
  • Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions Partner — Partner organization providing pharmacy network services and pharmacy locator tool.
  • Reddy Bikeshare Partner — Partners on bikeshare program operations, promotions, and the 100-Mile Challenge in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
  • Reddy Bikeshare Partner — Partners with Independent Health to operate a regional bikeshare program, offering discounted annual passes to Independent Health members.
  • Reddy Bikeshare Partner — Partnership to support public bikeshare services in Buffalo.
  • SilverSneakers Partner — Partner organization providing nationwide fitness facility access for Independent Health Medicare Advantage plan members.
  • Start Hearing Partner — Partner organization delivering hearing aid evaluations and supporting hearing aid purchases for members.
  • Teladoc Partner — Partner organization providing telemedicine services allowing members to consult doctors via phone or mobile app.
  • Tifft Nature Preserve Partner — Hosts Wellness Walks presented by Independent Health, providing venue and volunteer support for weekly guided nature walks.
  • Tops Friendly Markets Partner — Partner retailer where members earn nutrition rewards on fresh produce purchases.
  • YMCA Partner — Collaborates with YMCA by using its certified instructors to lead outdoor fitness classes.
  • YMCA Partner — Partners with Independent Health to co-host Fitness in the Parks and provide certified instructors for outdoor fitness classes.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community Engagement Through Fun and Recreation
    methodology: community-engagement-through-fun
    By integrating health improvement with enjoyable community activities, the organization increases engagement and well-being because combining wellness with fun reduces stigma, lowers barriers to participation, and sustains long-term behavior change.
  • Expanding Dental Access Through Affordability and Choice
    methodology: affordable_access_model
    By offering $0 copay for preventive dental care and coverage for both in- and out-of-network services, the organization improves oral health outcomes because removing cost barriers and expanding provider choice increase utilization and continuity of care.
  • Incentivized Healthy Eating Through Financial Rewards
    methodology: financial_incentive_for_healthy_eating
    By providing financial incentives for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, the organization increases healthy eating behaviors because tangible rewards lower economic barriers and reinforce positive dietary choices.
  • Integrated Care Model for Complex Health Needs
    methodology: integrated_care_model
    By combining physical health, mental health, and addiction services within a single Medicaid managed care plan, the organization improves outcomes for adults with complex health needs because coordinated, holistic care reduces fragmentation and improves treatment adherence.
  • Personalized Support to Improve Care Continuity
    methodology: personalized_member_support
    By assigning dedicated RedShirt representatives to assist members with enrollment and renewal, the organization improves access and continuity of care because personalized, sustained support reduces administrative barriers and builds trust in the care process.