Highmark and Geisinger announced Tuesday that they had completed a previously-announced clinical joint venture to improve access to primary care, specialty care and appropriate acute inpatient care in four Pennsylvania counties.
The agreement creates a new, non-profit health care organization that includes existing Geisinger locations and developing new facilities in Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties.
“We always strive to work with forward-thinking provider partners who have a shared vision to improve health care and create positive experiences for members and patients,” Deborah Rice-Johnson, president of Highmark Health Plan, said in a prepared statement. “Geisinger and Highmark have worked together for many, many months to design a collaboration that will bring innovative, value-based care models to consumers in northcentral Pennsylvania.”
The joint venture will serve Highmark and Geisinger Health Plan members as well as patients with other insurance plants, Rice-Johnson said.
A new two-story facility will be constructed in Lock Haven that will offer a walk-in urgent care center, adult and pediatric primary care offices and several specialty clinics. A new three-story, 119,500 square foot hospital will be constructed to service the Williamsport area. This facility will have a full-service emergency department, lab services, medical oncology services, chemotherapy preparation and general surgery services.
Date: March 14, 2019
Source: BizJournals