Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO of Heritage Provider Network, Discusses $3 Million Heritage Health Prize at Milken Institute Global Conference, May 3, 2011

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO of Heritage Provider Network, will discuss recent developments in the $3 million dollar Heritage Health Prize, at the Milken Institute Global Conference, on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. (www.milkeninstitute.org)

The prize challenges individuals to develop an algorithm that predicts hospitalizations, thereby allowing physicians to intercede and prevent those that are avoidable. In concert, Dr. Merkin's remarks will also focus on the critically important role consumers can take in controlling their own health care, that will be vital to the patient in avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations, saving the country $30 billion dollars.(www.heritagehealthprize.com)

"This prize can change the world," said Dr. Merkin. "We have a great opportunity to transform global health delivery, and ensure a higher quality of care, while making healthcare affordable for families and avoiding waste," he continued. "Empowering consumers with information about their own healthcare outcomes provides opportunities to engage with physicians preventing serious illness and costly hospitalizations."

Dr. Merkin will also announce official prize entries may be submitted on May 4th, that the leader boards will be posted on the prize website allowing teams to see where they stand and that an additional 2 years' worth of data will be released.

Dr. Merkin is CEO and founder of the Heritage Provider Network, providing healthcare to 700,000 individuals in California. With more than 30 years of experience in the health-care field, Dr. Merkin pioneered the development of integrated physician networks, creating one of the largest groups in California and a business model than can be duplicated nationwide. A visionary, sought after speaker and health care expert, Dr. Merkin was named Healthcare Leader of the Year for 2011 by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Dr. Merkin serves on the Board of California Institute of Technology, established the Richard Merkin Foundation for stem cell research at the Broad Institute at Harvard and established the Richard Merkin Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Brain Sciences Institute and The Richard Merkin Foundation for Neural Regeneration at UCLA. He is on the Board of Ed Voice, CAPG and the Alliance for College Ready Public Schools. Dr. Merkin earned his M.D. at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

For more information on the HPN Health Prize go to: www.heritagehealthprize.com

ABOUT HPN:

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. (www.heritageprovidernetwork.com)

ABOUT THE MILKEN INSTITUTE

The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, independent economic think tank whose mission is to improve the lives and economic conditions of diverse populations around the world by helping business and public policy leaders identify and implement innovative ideas for creating broad based prosperity. It is based in Santa Monica, California. (www.milkeninstitute.org)

SOURCE Heritage Provider Network, Inc.