Next Level HealthCare

NextLevel Health was a minority-owned Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) based in Chicago, Illinois, that focused on providing coordinated care to Medicaid beneficiaries in Cook County. Founded by Dr. Cheryl Whitaker in 2013, the company operated as a Coordinated Care Entity (CCE) before transitioning to a full MCO, emphasizing community-based health management and social determinants of health. The organization aimed to improve health outcomes for underserved populations through a localized approach to care coordination and member engagement. Despite its significant role in the Illinois Medicaid market, NextLevel Health ceased operations in 2020 following a failed acquisition attempt by Meridian Health (a subsidiary of Centene) and subsequent financial challenges.