New Agreement with HPHC- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
New Agreement with HPHC- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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June 21, 2001
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In This Issue:
A Salute to Service
New Agreement with HPHC
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
A Dinner Dedicated to Donors
Striking Up a Win
Pay for Parking with Credit
BWH Honors Student Interns
Partners HealthCare System has reached a new, four-year agreement with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) that covers reimbursements for physicians and hospitals throughout Partners. The agreement, which was concluded after six months of discussions, is designed to reverse the significant losses realized by BWH, MGH and other Partners members under prior contracts and to cover the cost of care.
The new agreement has accomplished one of Partners key priorities: ensuring that each HMO in the area fairly reimburses Partners institutions for the care they provide.
“In addition to providing fair levels of reimbursement, the agreement contains innovative provisions that recognize and support our commitment to providing the highest quality care,” said Partners President and CEO Samuel O. Thier, MD.
“The resolution allows for fair compensation to BWH and physicians in the Brigham and Women’s Physician Organization. More importantly, the agreement with HPHC moves BWH away from capitation risk and toward collaboration with HPHC on quality issues,” said Troy Brennan, MD, president, BWPO.
According to Thier, the agreement is specifically structured to allow Partners to continue to provide the kind of excellent care for which Partners is known nationally and even internationally in areas like adult diabetes, pediatric asthma and medical errors prevention.
As part of the agreement, Partners will purchase six health centers, which are owned by HPHC. The centers will retain their current operation, including treatment of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (HVMA) patients. By taking this step, Partners hopes to support the continued availability of high quality health care in community-based settings.
“The agreement reiterates the importance of our strategic partnership with HVMA and signifies the kind of achievement we were hoping for when Partners was formed,” said Brennan. “We must thank Peter Markell, Lynne Eickholt and their team at Partners for their tremendous work on our behalf.”
“Efforts regarding inadequate reimbursement have been critical to ensuring that our physicians, nurses and all clinicians have the resources they need to continue to provide the level of high quality care our patients expect and deserve. That is a standard of which we can all be proud,” added Thier.