Cone Health now owner of a Medicare Advantage plan

Cone Health has become the sole owner of a Greensboro-based Medicare Advantage plan.

Cone officials announced Wednesday that it has purchased the minority ownership interest of Health Team Advantage that had been held by Novant Health. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Medicare Advantage, also known as “Part C,” is a government-approved plan from a private company that serves as an alternative to Original Medicare.

The move affects about 22,000 members, but they shouldn’t notice a change, Cone officials say. Health Team Advantage expanded from seven to 33 counties during the time it was co-owned. Cone officials say it plans to grow its insurance offerings across the state.

Cone also announced this week that its urgent care facility in the fast-growing part of northern Winston-Salem will open Monday. It will be the health care system’s second urgent care facility in the city.