AtlantiCare Announces Collaboration with Advocare and Continuum of Marlton, New Jersey

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AtlantiCare announced today that it is collaborating with Advocare, LLC (Advocare), one of the region's largest independent primary care and multispecialty provider groups and with Continuum Health Alliance, LLC (Continuum), the state's premier healthcare management company, headquartered in Marlton, New Jersey. Continuum is also the provider of management services for Advocare. This newly formed alliance was created to offer physicians in southeastern New Jersey opportunities to better serve their patients and communities.

The alliance of AtlantiCare and Continuum will offer proven solutions to area physicians enabling them to focus on patient care without the burden of daily administrative responsibilities. These offerings will include information technology solutions, practice management support, revenue cycle enhancements and other physician practice support services. AtlantiCare's alliance with Advocare will focus on quality of care initiatives and patient access.

"Partnering with Advocare and Continuum allows us to bring more value to our customers and partners now—the businesses locally that wrestle with rising healthcare costs and the physicians who are trying to provide quality care while coping with reduced reimbursements and administrative issues," said Marilouise Venditti, MD, chief medical officer, AtlantiCare. "We aim to improve and integrate care while assisting physicians as they transition from volume to value. Key to this strategy is our view that physicians are central to the governance and leadership of this new model."

"Our collaboration will result in providing physicians with as many choices as possible to remain viable in the current environment. These options include remaining independent with tailored management services solutions, practicing in an integrated physician practice center model, or opting for a more traditional full employment model," said John M. Tedeschi, MD, Advocare and Continuum, chief executive officer. "Offering physicians these choices with a strong support system will not only enhance the quality of care they provide, but will facilitate the availability of cost effective and accessible care for their patients."

"We are delighted to work with such a premier physician-oriented organization that empowers area physicians to partner with us in multiple ways," said David P. Tilton, president and CEO, AtlantiCare. "Our combined capabilities will assist physicians as they work to enhance patient care in this reform environment. Ultimately, that's good for the people we serve here in South Jersey."

AtlantiCare is an integrated system of services designed to help people achieve optimal health. It includes AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, AtlantiCare Health Engagement, AtlantiCare Health Solutions, the AtlantiCare Foundation, and AtlantiCare Health Services. Its more than 5,282 employees and 600 physicians serve the community in more than 60 locations. A 2009 Malcolm Baldrige Award winner, AtlantiCare was also included in Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2010. ARMC became the 105th hospital in the nation to attain status as a Magnet™ designated hospital in March of 2004 and was redesignated a Magnet™ hospital in 2008.

Continuum Health Alliance, LLC ("Continuum") is a regional healthcare management company founded in 1998 by nationally-renowned pediatrician John M. Tedeschi, MD. Continuum offers operational oversight and optimizes business processes, enabling physician groups and hospitals to better serve their patients. The company's comprehensive service portfolio offers dynamic solutions for administration, finance, revenue cycle management, and information technology. Continuum also collaborates with hospitals to create and manage medical group networks, hospitalist programs, and innovative hospital-based programs; and helps medical providers navigate and respond to the regulatory requirements mandated by America's health care reform legislation.  The company presently oversees an aggregate client workforce of more than 1,800 employees located in approximately 85 medical offices and hospital settings.

Advocare, LLC ("Advocare") was founded in 1998 by John M. Tedeschi, MD, a nationally renowned pediatrician and innovator in delivering healthcare services. Advocare has evolved from an early alliance of 33 pediatricians to one of the largest independent, multi-specialty physician groups in New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia region. With more than 60 practices and 85 offices, Advocare serves over 500,000 patients and its communities with high quality, personal care and a commitment to promoting best practices for optimal health and wellness.

SOURCE AtlantiCare