Tag Archives: Penn State Health

Penn State, UPMC Pinnacle rivalry intensifies

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https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/facilities-management/penn-state-upmc-pinnacle-rivalry-intensifies.html?origin=cfoe&utm_source=cfoe

UPMC Pinnacle on Jan. 8, 2019 announced plans to expand its West Shore Hospital in Hampden Township in Cumberland County.

Harrisburg, Pa.-based UPMC Pinnacle revealed plans Jan. 8 to expand its hospital facility in Mechanicsburg, Pa. The announcement came several months after its rival, Penn State Health, submitted plans to build a 108-bed hospital roughly 1 mile away from UPMC’s hospital, according to Penn Live reports.

UPMC Pinnacle West Shore opened in 2014 with 102 beds. Officials said in their Jan. 8 announcement that an expansion was necessary, as the hospital “has consistently operated at 90 percent capacity.” Officials expect to complete the expansion, which will add 58 beds, by fall 2020.

Penn Live first reported Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health’s decision to build a 108-bed hospital in June 2018. Officials at the time said the decision to build a hospital was made because a large portion of their patients travel from the Mechanicsburg region, and that the new hospital will allow them better access to care. Officials said they aim to begin construction in the spring and open the hospital by June 2021, the report states.

To access the full report, click here.

 

 

 

Penn State Health, Highmark Health sign $1B value-based care network deal

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https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/penn-state-health-highmark-health-new-partnership?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTkRNMlpEbGlNRE14TkRBMSIsInQiOiJqOUkyVmdwaVwvZGVYODBOK2h5ZHhIT1UxS1owUTdheXJXU1pkeU1VQVNXTTFjOWpCNTlwNml1Uk81YlBjb2FjWkVtd21CMjJFR3pneURrN0NvdXlWbG5reFh5Y2VpUXVsbDZKRVRMeUtxVnFhNEFvWHlIdXkwSUtKMzVQU1BFVEQifQ%3D%3D&mrkid=959610

Business executives shaking hands

Penn State Health and Highmark Health have inked a $1 billion deal to form a value-based community care network that aims to improve population health and protect market share by keeping more patients in the region, especially for complex care.

Anchored by the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the plan also calls for collaboration with community physicians and will include new facilities and co-branded health insurance products.

The move doesn’t affect existing agreements: Penn State Health can still partner with other health insurance companies, and Highmark will continue to partner with other providers.

“Penn State Health will offer more primary, specialty and acute care locations across central Pennsylvania so that [patients] will have easier access to our care, right in the communities where they live,” A. Craig Hillemeier, CEO of Penn State Health, said in an announcement. “Our two organizations share the belief that people facing life-changing diagnoses should be able to get the care they need as close to home as possible.”

Highmark Health will join Penn State as a member of Penn State Health with a minority interest. The payer will get up to three seats on the 15-member board of directors.

“We want to collaborate with forward-thinking partners who, like us, are committed to creating a positive healthcare experience for members and patients,” Highmark Health CEO David Holmberg said in the announcement.

Value-based care and population health continue to drive deals such as this one, including in the competitive Pennsylvania market. Earlier this year, PinnacleHealth announced that it would partner with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the state’s largest integrated health system, and also agreed to acquire four Central Pennsylvania hospitals from Community Health Systems.