AtlantiCare and Geisinger health systems sign definitive agreement

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. and DANVILLE, Pa., May 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AtlantiCare health system, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pennsylvania, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement for AtlantiCare to become a member of Geisinger Health System, creating the foundation for value-driven, population-based care delivery in southern New Jersey.

AtlantiCare and Geisinger signed a letter of intent in November 2013, and since that time have been completing due diligence and exploring ways the organizations can work together to benefit patients and the community. The proposed integration now moves into the regulatory approval phase, which is expected to take 9 to 12 months to complete.

"Geisinger is a national model for innovation and value that is on the leading edge of transforming healthcare, and we are pleased and excited to enter into this definitive agreement," said AtlantiCare President and Chief Executive Officer David P. Tilton. "We remain focused on the health and well-being of our community, and we look forward to further advances in population health and other innovations to improve quality and enhance services for our patients."

"It is an especially challenging time in healthcare; however, we stand at the brink of making significant enhancements that will benefit patients for generations to come," said Geisinger Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Steele, Jr., M.D., Ph.D. "Today's announcement is good news for the people we serve, and we look forward to making a positive difference in southern New Jersey."

The AtlantiCare and Geisinger Health System relationship is built on the understanding that the healthcare delivery system in the United States is changing to a value-based model. As a result, the emphasis is on implementation of evidence-based medicine programs, enhancing capabilities and clinical services, optimizing the use of the electronic health record and clinical informatics, and implementing population health management and value-based payment models.

"Over time, we will improve the patient experience and health status of the community, reduce the total cost of care while improving quality and efficiency, transform care from episodic to value focused, and provide meaningful coordination across all of healthcare," said Dr. Steele.

"Geisinger is well experienced in the technology enhancements and care redesign necessary to successfully achieve the outcomes most meaningful to our patients and communities," said Tilton. "Together we will provide a system of care different from what is currently available in southern New Jersey."

Representatives from each organization will sit on the AtlantiCare and Geisinger Health System Foundation boards of directors. AtlantiCare will retain its strong brand name and local autonomy in caring for its local community, and benefit from Geisinger's nationally acclaimed innovations.

AtlantiCare and Geisinger share a number of awards and recognitions, including Modern Healthcare's "Best Places to Work in Healthcare" and the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet™ designation. AtlantiCare was also named a recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2009. 

About AtlantiCare
AtlantiCare is an integrated system of services designed to help people achieve optimal health. It does so by focusing on customer needs and expectations to provide accessible, comprehensive services of superior quality and value. AtlantiCare is comprised of AtlantiCare Regional Health Services including AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center with three locations, ambulatory services and AtlantiCare Physician Group; the AtlantiCare Foundation, and AtlantiCare Health Solutions, an accountable care organization. The southern New Jersey region's largest healthcare organization, AtlantiCare's more than 5,200 employees and 700 physicians serve the community in nearly 70 locations. AtlantiCare and its business units are governed by boards comprised of volunteer community leaders. AtlantiCare's focus is to serve the community as a provider of health and wellness services.

About Geisinger
Geisinger Health System is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development of innovative care models such as ProvenHealth Navigator® and ProvenCare®. As one of the nation's largest rural health services organizations, Geisinger serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeast Pennsylvania. The physician-led system is comprised of more than 21,000 employees, including a 1,100-member multi-specialty group practice, eight hospital campuses, two research centers and a 467,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $7.4 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania economy. The health system and the health plan have repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research and community service. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org, or follow the latest Geisinger news and more on Twitter and Facebook.

CONTACT:
AtlantiCare:
Jennifer Tornetta 609-569-7010
[email protected]

Geisinger:
Mike Ferlazzo 570-214-7410
[email protected]

SOURCE Geisinger Health System