Lakeland Care - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Lakeland Care, Inc. is a Wisconsin-based managed care organization (MCO) established in 2000. It piloted the Family Care program in Wisconsin and focuses on providing long-term care services to eligible frail elders and individuals with physical and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Their mission is "Empowering Individuals. Strengthening Communities. Inspiring Futures." with a vision "To create a world we all want to live in." The company's core values—Kindness, Inclusion, and Trust—underscore its commitment to compassionate, open-minded, and honest service delivery. Lakeland Care plays a significant role in the healthcare and community support industry by offering high-quality, cost-effective, and member-centered services, enabling individuals to live as independently as possible within their homes and communities.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Lakeland Care's primary goal is to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and inspire futures. This is achieved by delivering high-quality, cost-effective services and supports through a member-centered, outcome-based approach. The organization aims to expand access and choices for individuals, enhance partnerships and resources, and improve the overall health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Specialization Areas

Lakeland Care specializes in administering the Family Care Program in Wisconsin, providing tailored long-term care and support services. They are also dedicated to culturally responsive long-term care and support services through partnerships with Wisconsin Tribal Nations. Additionally, a subsidiary, Lakeland Care Plus, offers tailored Information Technology (IT) solutions.

Target Markets

Lakeland Care's services are concentrated in 31 counties across Northeastern and North Central Wisconsin and the Fox Valley. These include Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Vilas, Waupaca, Winnebago, and Wood counties. The organization further expands its reach by partnering with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the Oneida Nation to provide culturally responsive long-term care and support services.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

Lakeland Care operates as a non-profit organization. The estimated annual revenue for Lakeland Care District is approximately $189.7 million per year, with an estimated revenue per employee of $337,500. For the fiscal year ending December 2023, Lakeland Care, Inc. reported revenues of $382,512,146 and expenses of $394,435,816, resulting in a net income of -$11,923,670. In 2024, total revenues were $407,799,141 and total expenses were $414,920,869. Total assets were $76.4 million and total liabilities were $44.4 million in 2024.

The company has received an undisclosed amount of funding over five grant funding rounds, with its largest grant round in September 2018. Notable sources of revenue include contributions, which accounted for 89.1% of total revenue in 2023, and program services. Approximately $0.98 of every $1.00 is used for member services, and $0.04 for administrative services.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

Family Care Program Services:

Description: Provides long-term care and support services to eligible frail elders and individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.

Development Stage: Established and continually enhanced.

Target Market/Condition: Eligible frail elders and individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in Wisconsin.

Key Features and Benefits: Member-centered, outcome-based approach, coordination of care, identification of services and providers, and coordination of natural supports to enable independent living in the community.

Tribal Care Services:

Description: Culturally responsive long-term care and support services.

Development Stage: Ongoing partnership and service delivery.

Target Market/Condition: Members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the Oneida Nation.

Key Features and Benefits: Supports the Tribes' transition to services through Wisconsin's Family Care program, honoring sovereignty and cultural distinctiveness.

Lakeland Care Plus (LC Plus):

Description: Offers tailored Information Technology (IT) solutions, consulting, workshops, training, and coaching services.

Development Stage: Launched in 2022 as a subsidiary.

Target Market/Condition: Supports individuals and organizations within Lakeland Care's communities by providing IT solutions and enhancing leadership, team performance, and workplace culture.

Key Features and Benefits: Comprehensive IT services, expert consulting, and customized leadership training to drive sustainable growth, meet financial objectives, and foster positive workplace cultures.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Lakeland Care leverages technology through its "Lakeland Care Plus" (LC Plus) initiative, offering tailored IT solutions for operational efficiency and support within the healthcare and community services sector. LC Plus was launched in 2022 as a subsidiary of Lakeland Care, Inc.

They also utilize Pyx Health, which combines compassionate human interaction with an interactive mobile app to connect members with resources for managing their well-being. This platform provides support 24 hours a day via an app or phone call, offering companionship calls and engaging activities focused on emotional and physical well-being. Lakeland Care is the first managed care company to offer Pyx Health's caregiver platform, making it available not just to friends and family of members, but also to any caregiver in the community, including paid and out-of-state caregivers, and all Lakeland Care employees.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Sara Muhlbauer (Chief Executive Officer): Assumed CEO duties in October 2019. She joined Lakeland Care in 2009 and previously held roles as Care Management Supervisor, Provider Network Manager, and Chief Operations Officer. She holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from St. Ambrose University. Her compensation in 2024 was $238,313, with $38,616 in other compensation.
Jen Harrison (Chief Program Officer): Formerly Chief Operations Officer. Her compensation in 2024 was $198,431, with $29,341 in other compensation.
Daniel Bizub (Chief Financial Officer): His compensation in 2024 was $197,682, with $33,566 in other compensation.
Suzanne Sinjakovic (Chief Administrative Officer): Her compensation in 2024 was $192,522, with $40,858 in other compensation.
Deanne Wecker (Compliance & Org. Risk Director): Her compensation in 2024 was $139,158, with $10,188 in other compensation.
Casey Penrod (IT Director): His compensation in 2024 was $129,479, with $28,566 in other compensation.
Misty Pickett (Mission Impact & Community Engagement Director): Her compensation in 2024 was $126,929, with $27,527 in other compensation.
Nathan Luedke (Business Intelligence Director): His compensation in 2024 was $126,855, with $28,556 in other compensation.

Recent Leadership Changes

Sara L. Muhlbauer took over as Chief Executive Officer in October 2019, succeeding Katie Mnuk, who retired at the end of 2019.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Lakeland Care has approximately 661 employees as of 2024. The company experienced an 8% growth in employee count in the last year. Employee reviews on Indeed reflect mixed sentiment, with appreciation for personal recognition, work-life flexibility, and the rewarding nature of the work. Average ratings include 3.3 out of 5 stars for work-life balance, 3.1 for pay and benefits, 2.7 for job security and advancement, 2.5 for management, and 2.7 for culture. Concerns have been raised regarding caseloads, management restructuring, workload, and the perceived lack of a solid growth plan. Lakeland Care is actively working to address feedback related to caseload, work models, and leadership.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Lakeland Care maintains an active online presence on its website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, where it shares news and updates. The company utilizes these platforms to communicate its mission, vision, and values, and to announce awards and partnerships. Community engagement is central to Lakeland Care's brand positioning, aiming to foster an environment where employees feel valued and supported, which in turn contributes to delivering quality care. They often highlight stories of members to illustrate the transformative impact of their Family Care Program.

8. Recognition and Awards

Industry Recognition

Lakeland Care has received multiple awards for its workplace culture and quality of service:
USA Today Top Workplaces Award: Recognized as a recipient of the USA Today Top Workplaces Award for 2025. This marks the fourth Top Workplaces recognition for the organization, with previous honors in 2024 for work-life flexibility, healthcare industry, and employee well-being categories.
Work-Life Flexibility Top Workplace Award: Honored with this award for two consecutive years, reflecting its dedication to a flexible, supportive, and empowering work environment.
C.A.R.E. Award: Initiated in August 2017, the C.A.R.E. (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Enrichment) Award recognizes outstanding service from providers and individual caregivers.
Caregiver of the Year Award: Annually recognizes a provider/caregiver who has consistently demonstrated an exceptional level of C.A.R.E. and quality service. Robert and Judith Mahlstedt AFH were recognized in 2020.

9. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

In the Wisconsin healthcare landscape, particularly within managed care and long-term services, Lakeland Care competes with organizations such as Catalpa Health, Community Care, and Lutheran Homes.

10. Market Analysis

Market Overview

The market for long-term care services in Wisconsin is experiencing increasing demand due to an aging population, with individuals aged 65 and older growing faster than any other demographic. Lakeland Care operates within Wisconsin's Family Care program, a state Medicaid program designed to assist seniors and adults with disabilities in living independently. The program integrates funding and services from various sources into a flexible long-term care benefit, with care plans customized to individual needs. Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) like Lakeland Care are crucial for coordinating and delivering these services, establishing provider networks to serve members across diverse living situations.

11. Strategic Partnerships

Pyx Health: Lakeland Care has partnered with Pyx Health to address social isolation and loneliness among its members and caregivers. Pyx Health offers a mobile app and human support to connect individuals with resources for well-being, including companionship calls and engaging activities. This offering extends to all caregivers in the community, including paid and out-of-state caregivers, and all Lakeland Care employees.
Lakeland Care Plus Consulting: In September 2024, Lakeland Care collaborated with Lakeland Care Plus Consulting to offer free virtual trainings for providers from October 2024 through March 2025. These trainings cover topics such as resilience, stress management, and fostering a positive work culture, providing practical tools and strategies to providers.
* Wisconsin Tribal Nations (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and Oneida Nation): Lakeland Care partners with these Tribal Nations to support their transition to services provided through Wisconsin's Family Care program, ensuring culturally responsive long-term care and support services.

12. Operational Insights

Lakeland Care's operational strategy is founded on a people-centered and community-focused approach to long-term care. Its competitive advantage is built on over 25 years of experience in the Family Care Program. The organization fosters strong, collaborative relationships with a wide network of over 1,000 local providers in more than 50 specialties, enabling it to tailor solutions to individual needs. Interdisciplinary teams (IDTs) are central to their operations, responsible for conducting assessments, developing care plans, coordinating services, and monitoring outcomes. They also continuously monitor their provider network to ensure service capacity and access align with member needs, while adhering to Wisconsin DHS and HFS 10 regulations.

13. Future Outlook

Strategic Roadmap

Lakeland Care's strategic roadmap focuses on continuing its commitment to high-quality, sustainable support and making a meaningful impact on the communities and individuals it serves. The organization expanded its reach to the GSR5 region in 2025, which includes Adams, Waushara, Marquette, Green Lake, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Jefferson, and Rock counties, indicating a clear direction for geographic growth. By leveraging its established Family Care Program, nurturing strategic partnerships such as those with Pyx Health and Lakeland Care Plus Consulting, and investing in IT solutions, Lakeland Care aims to further empower individuals and strengthen community ties. The consistent recognition as a "Top Workplace" helps position the company to attract and retain talent, which is vital for delivering quality care and expanding services effectively.