Leading Orthopedic Physician Group Joins Highmark's Integrated Delivery System

PITTSBURGH, April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark Inc. announced today that Orthopedic Associates of Pittsburgh (OAPGH), a leading orthopedic group in Western Pennsylvania, has chosen to affiliate with its growing Integrated Delivery System. OAPGH surgeons – Arnold S. Broudy, M.D.; Michael Levine, M.D.; David C. Neuschwander M.D.; Robert G. Liss, M.D.; and Gregory L. Hung, M.D. – began working as Highmark providers on April 1.

OAPGH specializes in hip, knee, foot, ankle, spine, shoulder, hand and upper extremity surgery as well as trauma with a focus on total joint replacement and sports medicine. This practice is the first orthopedic group to join Highmark's Integrated Delivery System. OAPGH physicians and staff will continue to operate out of the same locations in Pittsburgh, Monroeville and White Oak.

"The mission of our Integrated Delivery System is to have a patient-centric and physician-led system with high levels of patient engagement," said John W. Paul, who leads Highmark's provider division. "By working with successful provider groups such as OAPGH, we are able to fulfill this mission."

OAPGH was established more than four decades ago as a general orthopedic practice, and through the years, it has evolved into the leading sub-specialty practice that it is today.

"We are excited to be the first orthopedic group to join Highmark's Integrated Delivery System," said Dr. Arnold Broudy, M.D. "Our mission is well-aligned with Highmark's vision for its Integrated Delivery System."

Highmark Inc.'s Integrated Delivery System was launched in June 2011. Its first action was to negotiate an affiliation agreement with the West Penn Allegheny Health System, which is currently being reviewed. Highmark is committed to building a world-class delivery system that creates value for the community. Highmark's delivery system has several core components: to have a patient-centric and physician-led system with high levels of patient engagement; to deliver high-quality services to those in need of care; to align incentives and focus more resources on wellness and prevention; to focus on providing care in the most convenient and economical setting; to base the system on innovative research and advanced academics. 

This delivery system will provide differentiated services and experiences and improved health outcomes, while lowering costs for our health plan members and our patients. This means creating a vibrant network for independent community hospitals; an aligned network of physicians, both primary care and specialists; broader choice in health service; and more convenient access to innovative outpatient services.

About Highmark Inc.
Highmark Inc., based in Pittsburgh, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Highmark serves 4.9 million members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware through the company's health care benefits business and is one of the largest Blue plans in the nation. Highmark has 19,500 employees across the country. In June of 2011, Highmark announced its affiliation with the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS), and its commitment to assuring that the health system stands as a high-quality choice for health care services to millions of Western Pennsylvanians. The affiliation is the first step in a broader Highmark strategy to develop alternative health care options that offer high-quality care at a lower price, with more coordinated and patient-driven delivery of medical care. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

SOURCE Highmark Inc.