Reading Health System and UPMC Health Plan Announce Joint Venture

PITTSBURGH and READING, Pa., Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reading Health System and UPMC Health Plan announce today they have finalized an agreement to form a provider-payer joint venture. Beginning January 1, 2017, this Reading-UPMC Health Plan enterprise will combine access to Reading Health System's high-quality clinical care, expert providers, and advanced healthcare facilities with UPMC Health Plan's experience, expertise and advanced analytics to improve the health of the community.

The new joint venture will offer a full line of health coverage and related services to individuals as well as employers and their employees in the Reading Health System service area.

Clint Matthews, President and CEO of Reading Health System, said, "We are delighted to partner with UPMC Health Plan, one of Pennsylvania's strongest and most experienced healthcare insurers. This partnership will rely on value-based healthcare, enabling an increased number of residents and companies in the Berks County region to access Reading Health as an in-network provider, resulting in enhanced cost savings and superior health management."

"By combining the unique strengths of the two organizations, the partnership will provide value-based payment models that improve health outcomes by merging clinical capabilities with population health and risk management strategies," said Diane Holder, President and CEO UPMC Health Plan and UPMC Insurance Services Division. "We are pleased to offer our twenty years of experience as part of an integrated delivery and finance system with the valuable clinical expertise of Reading Health System.  Our shared commitment to value, quality and access will offer savings and better outcomes for individuals and employers in the region."

In January 2017, UPMC Health Plan will provide Third Party Administrator (TPA) and FSA Flexible Spending Account (FSA) administration services for Reading Health System's employee benefits plan that services more than 11,000 individuals.  Throughout 2017, the new partnership will strategically introduce a full spectrum of health insurance that includes Medicare Advantage, Administrative Services Only (ASO) for self-insured employers, Individual (Exchange), and Commercial Group, Special Needs Plans (SNP), Managed Medical Assistance, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to the community.  

Reading Health is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to Berks and the surrounding communities. Reading Health has been awarded the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award in 2016, ranked 8^th best hospital in Pennsylvania by US News & World Report and received a 4-Star Rating for Overall Hospital Quality by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In October 2016, Reading Health opened Reading HealthPlex for Advanced Surgical & Patient Care, a leading-edge, 476,000-square-foot surgical and inpatient tower. The facility includes 24 surgical suites, a 17,500-square-foot emergency and trauma expansion, 150 private patient rooms and is topped with an 88,000-square-foot green roof.

The UPMC Insurance Services Division carries out its mission to serve communities by collaborating for patient care and shaping health through technological innovation, research, and education. The unique approach to health management touches the lives of more than three million members and their communities throughout Pennsylvania. In addition, UPMC Health Plan has been recognized with numerous customer service awards and was ranked "Highest Member Satisfaction Among Commercial Health Plans in Pennsylvania" according to J.D. Power*                               

About Reading Health

Reading Health, headquartered in West Reading, PA, is an integrated, nonprofit healthcare system serving communities in Berks and surrounding counties. More than 1,000 physicians and providers across 46 locations offer comprehensive, quality care ranging from prevention, screenings, and education to the latest clinical services and treatments. The system includes Reading Hospital, a 695-bed hospital offering advanced specialty care including McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency and Trauma, Stroke and Joint Care. Advanced inpatient and outpatient care are provided at Reading Health Rehabilitation Hospital, including specialized programs for orthopedic surgeries, Parkinson's Disease and other movement disorders. Reading Health Physician Network is an integrated primary and specialty care group with more than 600 providers with offices located throughout the region.. For more information about Reading Health, visit www.readinghealth.org.

About the UPMC Insurance Services Division

The UPMC Insurance Services Division is owned by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) a world-renowned health care provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh, Pa. As a provider-led organization that is part of an integrated health care delivery system, the UPMC Insurance Services Division is committed to providing its members better health, more financial security and the peace of mind they deserve. The UPMC Insurance Services Division partners with UPMC and community network providers to produce a combination of knowledge and expertise that provides the highest quality care at the most affordable price. The UPMC Insurance Services Division – which includes UPMC Health Plan, UPMC WorkPartners, LifeSolutions, UPMC for Life, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids, and Community Care Behavioral Health — offers a full range of group health insurance, Medicare, Special Needs, CHIP, Medical Assistance, behavioral health, employee assistance and workers' compensation products and services to more than 3 million members. For more information, visit www.upmchealthplan.com.

*UPMC Health Plan received the highest numerical score among commercial health plans in Pennsylvania in the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Member Health Plan Study, based on 31,867 responses from nine plans measuring experiences and perceptions of members surveyed from October to December 2015. Your experience may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

SOURCE UPMC Health Plan

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