MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Heritage Provider Network, and its founder, CEO and President Dr. Richard Merkin, announce that as of November 6, 2009, Lakeside Medical Systems, Inc., as well as all its affiliated entities, have been acquired by Lakeside Medical Organization, part of the HPN family.

"We first and foremost want to assure all of Lakeside's patients that we in the HPN family are dedicated to maintaining the high level of care they are used to in a seamless and cohesive manner," said Dr. Richard Merkin. "Our priority is patients first," he continued. "In addition to ensuring the continuity of care for all of Lakeside's patients, we are also pleased to have saved 700 jobs at Lakeside. These jobs include physicians, nurses, healthcare technicians, case managers, billing clerks, receptionists and other clerical and administrative staff. We believe this acquisition provides for the continued and improved excellence of care for Lakeside's members."

HPN and its family of medical groups are highly regarded by the health plans and regulatory agencies for the quality of medical care provided to their members, and HPN has been selected as one of only ten "elite" medical groups in California by the California Association of Physician Groups. Operating since 1996, HPN's medical groups comprise one of the largest networks of IPAs in California extending throughout Kern County, San Louis Obispo, Lancaster/Palmdale, Victor Valley, Barstow, Palms Springs, Indio and Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and Ventura Counties.

The new partnership will offer patients and physicians resources from the HPN family that include home visiting physicians, disease management programs, home based electronic medical monitoring equipment, case managers dedicated to patients at high risk, social workers and palliative care teams. In addition, HPN's affiliated medical groups are leaders in the use of electronic medical records in the primary care physician setting. Plans for the future include building on existing synergies to combine the best of each entity to allow both growing and flourishing. The partnership will not only serve as a flagship model for physician networks in the community, but also contribute to the solutions HPN offers for building a successful accountable care organization, consisting of managed, patient-doctor centric care, which is precisely what Washington is looking for in response to the current health care crisis.

"We are confident that the increase in quality, efficiency, resources and programming will be recognized and implemented immediately, and patients and physicians will recognize and appreciate the advantages the partnership offers," said Keith Richman, of Lakeside. Richman will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of Lakeside Medical Organization. Dr. Frank Federico of Lakeside will assist in the transition and other HPN projects.

"I am delighted to be a part of the HPN family, and I look forward to bringing our patients and physicians the very best of both organizations," said Dr. Frank Frederico.

HPN has recently been featured on Wolf Blitzer's "Situation Room" on CNN concerning the critical issue of pregnancy and the H1N1 virus. It has also been featured on Fox National News for accompanying its senior members who are fighting to keep their health care, as they visited with Members of Congress in Washington, DC to explain to the Members the benefits of the Medicare Advantage program.

About Heritage Provider Network

Heritage Provider Network, Inc. (HPN) is on the cutting edge of the accountable care model of health care delivery: coordinated, patient-doctor centric, integrated health care systems that represent the future of health care in the United States. HPN develops programs and services that are responsive to the healthcare needs of today's patient. HPN designs its networks to offer patients a comprehensive range of medical care in convenient locations. It organizes and manages medical groups and independent practice associations, integrating with hospitals and ancillary care providers. This system represents a workable, successful business model that has been duplicated with medical groups, IPAs and medical facilities throughout California. HPN is dedicated to quality, affordable health care and putting patients' wellness first.

SOURCE Heritage Provider Network, Inc.

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