It’s the only regional health care network of its kind. And now, it has a new name.
The Regional Provider Network is now the Enhance Health Network. It’s an alliance of independent health care providers working to enhance health at the community level.
“As the health care environment continues to change and move toward value-based care, regional health care providers recognized a need to form an alliance that combines strengths while supporting their local independence,” said Cory Shaw, COO, system network development.
The network was formed in 2013 and is now led by President and CEO Michael Hein, M.D. The nine founding owner members include Bryan Health in Lincoln, Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus, Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, Fremont Health in Fremont, Great Plains Health in North Platte, Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska Medicine, Nebraska Methodist Health System and Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff.
“This network is aimed at achieving our two goals. First, to align the nine founding organizations to approach third-party payers as a clinically-integrated network,” Shaw said. “Second, to deliver value back to the members by reducing operating costs through collaboration.”
The Enhance Network is focused on forming alliances across Nebraska and Iowa. The Nebraska Health Network, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine’s accountable care alliance with Methodist Health System, is targeted to the Omaha metro area.
Shaw said that by aligning, the organizations are better prepared to handle the changes ahead.
“Physicians and hospitals are better positioned to anticipate changes and to shape their future by working through Enhance than by themselves.”
The Enhance Network also provides the opportunity to build relationships across the region.
“As we build relationships with providers in these communities, hopefully, when they have a problem they can’t solve, they will think of us,” Shaw said.
An obvious component to this network is that competition exists between the members.
“There are times when we are partners and times when we are competitors,” Shaw said. “We rely on referrals to build our business. But at the same time, it’s a compelling proposition to help these communities do as much as they can to limit the need for patients to travel to Omaha for care.”
So what does the Network do?????? "Positioning" and "aligning" are non-informative really. Do they have a clinic and doctor system? Are they totally administrative to get better prices on supplies? I have no idea what the aim is from reading this. Can you fill in the blanks in normal-speak, please?