VHA Inc. Announces BJC HealthCare Membership in Mid-America Service Solutions, LLC

IRVING, Texas, Aug. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VHA Inc. today announced that BJC HealthCare has joined Mid-America Service Solutions (MSS), LLC, a consolidated service center that is part of VHA SupplyNetworks. MSS serves 120 hospitals in nine states that collaborate to reduce expenses through contracting and business strategies.

"We are excited to welcome BJC HealthCare to Mid-America Service Solutions," said Jeff Andersen, VHA vice president, Mid-America region. "BJC's participation in our supply network will further strengthen our ability to negotiate supply and service contracts for members that deliver savings beyond what they would be able to achieve on their own."

"MSS has a long track record for developing valuable, collaborative strategies that enable participating hospitals to reduce supply costs and create operational efficiencies. Those savings and efficiencies are important for the hospitals, their patients and the communities they serve," added Andersen.

BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, and is focused on delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. BJC, which includes 12 hospitals and multiple community health locations, is a long-standing VHA Inc. member.

"We believe that joining MSS will enable BJC to access resources that will quickly improve supply chain performance. We also look forward to gaining access to a collaborative network of our peers to foster innovation and improvements that will benefit our patients and the communities we serve," said Robert Cannon, BJC group president.

MSS is a member-driven, member-owned health care supply network that serves participating hospitals and health systems in Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. In 2013, MSS saved participating hospitals over $35 million in the areas of supplies, pharmacy, capital, purchased services and revenue cycle contracts.

About VHA Inc.
VHA Inc. is a national network of not-for-profit health care organizations working together to improve performance and efficiency in clinical, financial and operational management. Since 1977, when VHA established the first hospital membership organization, the company has applied its knowledge in analytics, contracting, consulting and network development to help members and customers achieve their strategic objectives. In 2013, VHA delivered $2.2 billion in savings and additional value to members. Serving approximately 5,000 health system members and affiliates, VHA represents more than a quarter of the nation's hospitals. VHA also serves more than 118,000 non-acute health care customers enterprise-wide. VHA is based in Irving, Texas, and has 12 regional offices across the U.S. VHA, together with UHC, owns Novation, a supply chain company, and aptitude^TM, the health care industry's first online direct contracting market. VHA also owns Provista, a supply chain company serving the non-acute market as well as hospitality, education and corporate markets. For more information, visit www.vha.com and follow us on Twitter (@VHAInc).

About BJC HealthCare

BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, and is focused on delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. With 2013 net revenues of $4 billion, BJC serves the health care needs of urban, suburban and rural communities and includes 12 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice.

SOURCE VHA Inc.