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Tag: primary

Carlisle primary care office to join WellSpan Health 

WellSpan Health announced that it is set to acquire a Carlisle-based primary care and internal medicine provider, expanding its access in Cumberland County. 

The York-based hospital system said on Tuesday that Masland Associates in Carlisle has signed a letter of intent to join WellSpan’s network of providers. 

Masland Associates has operated in the Carlisle community for more than 65 years. The provider is made up of four physicians and five advanced practice providers at its office at 220 Wilson St.. 

“As a cornerstone in the community, patients have relied on Masland Associates for generations. Our shared vision for excellence in patient care will provide additional opportunities to access care and specialty services in the Carlisle area,” said Tony Aquilina, executive vice president and chief physician executive, WellSpan Health. “We are pleased to welcome these compassionate and skilled providers to WellSpan Health.” 

Providers and transitioning staff will join WellSpan Medical Group when Masland’s integration with the system is completed in August, said WellSpan. Masland Associates will continue to operate at its current office. 

“In 1955, Dr. David Masland opened this practice to care for the residents of his hometown. After he retired, our team at Masland Associates remained dedicated to caring for our families, friends, and neighbors here in Carlisle,” said Dr. Philip Neiderer, Masland Associates. “WellSpan Health shares these interests and our core values. I believe that joining the WellSpan Health team will provide opportunities to continue that same level of personal care for our patients and expand access to the full network of providers and services in South Central Pennsylvania.” 

Penn State Health moves West Shore pediatric care to new facility, plans to add services

Monday, July 12, 2021 marked the opening of Penn State Health Medical Group – Upper Allen. PHOTO/PROVIDED

Penn State Health’s outpatient pediatric primary care facility in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, completed a move to a new 7,500-square-foot location.

Penn State Health Medical Group — Upper Allen opened this week in a move that the Hershey-based health system says will expand access to pediatric primary care on the West Shore.

The new facility near the intersection of South Market Street and Gettysburg Pike, includes an initial team of four pediatric care providers and about a dozen support staff. Penn State officials say the added space will allow it to expand into family and sports medicine in the coming weeks.

“Our goal is to ensure our patients have access to Penn State Health’s providers close to home,” said Jeanette Gibbs, senior vice president for ambulatory services at Penn State Health. “This new outpatient location marks another way we are bringing our care to where it’s most convenient for the communities we serve.”

The expansion is part of a broader effort by the health system to grow its footprint on the West Shore, which includes its November 2020 acquisition of Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center and the construction of Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, scheduled to open in October.

Penn State Health opens two new outpatient locations in Harrisburg

Penn State Health opened two new outpatient locations in Harrisburg, which the Hershey-based health system says will enhance access to its primary and specialty care services in the midstate.

This week, Penn State Health announced the opening of Penn State Health Medical Group – Blue Ridge and Penn State Health Diagnostic Center – Union Deposit, both in Dauphin County.

Blue Ridge, located near the intersection of Linglestown and Crums Mill Roads, features primary care, internal medicine, women’s health and pulmonary services within a 7,500-square-foot practice.

It includes 12 exam rooms and clinical support space for a team of four primary care providers and about a dozen support staff.

The Diagnostic Center, located on Union Deposit Road, offers diagnostic imaging services focused on breast care. A team of mammography technologists, sonographers, radiologists and support staff will work in the 11,000-square-foot building.

Both facilities were built as part of a joint investment of $1 billion into the region’s health care between Highmark Health and Penn State Health and fall in line with Penn State Health’s goal of “ensuring that everyone in the communities it serves is within 10 minutes of a Penn State Health primary care provider, 20 minutes of its specialty care services and 30 minutes of a Penn State Health acute-care hospital.”

“Together with Highmark Health, we made a commitment to bring our services closer to where our patients live and work so they have more choice and easier access to the care they need,” said Jeanette Gibbs, senior vice president for ambulatory services at Penn State Health. “Today’s new practice site openings show our continued commitment to provide high quality, safe and convenient care in the community.”

Highmark’s value-based reimbursement program saved members $1 billion over 3 years, company says

Since Highmark Inc. began offering its value-based reimbursement program for primary care physicians in 2017, the Pittsburgh-based insurer says it helped its members avoid more than $1 billion in emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

Highmark officials said its True Performance initiative, a program that rewards physicians for reaching nationally-recognized quality measures, cut costs in its first three years by encouraging providers to focus on quality rather than quantity of care.

“True Performance incentivizes primary-care physicians to deliver the right care at the right time and in the most appropriate setting, and that helps keep customers’ employees and our members healthier, which means fewer ED visits and hospital stays,” said Sean Burns, vice president of provider payment for Highmark.

Incentives for physicians are based on measures such as Highmark members receiving recommended immunizations, appropriate drug therapies for patients with chronic diseases and cancer screenings.

The $1.09 billion amount was based on claims data from 2017 to 2019. About 84% of all eligible primary care physicians in Highmark’s service areas participate in the program, accounting for nearly 11,000 physicians at more than 2,000 practices.

Penn State Health Medical Group to build new primary care in Dauphin County

Penn State Health Medical Group plans to expand its services in Dauphin County with a new primary care facility in Lower Paxton Township.

Hershey-based Penn State Health announced last week that it will begin building a new 7,500-square-foot facility near the intersection of Linglestown and Crums Mill roads this spring.

The new facility, which is expected to open this fall, would include 12 exam rooms and additional clinical support space for a team of four physicians and about 12 support staff. Penn State Health said in a press release that the new building will include additional space for eight more exam rooms for future expansion.

“Penn State Health, along with Highmark Health, made a promise to put our services where they best serve our patients, which is in their communities and closer to their homes,” said Dr. Peter Dillon, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at Penn State Health. “This new outpatient facility is another way we are delivering on that promise.”

Penn State Health also provides services in Dauphin County at its Penn State Health Medical Group – Harrisburg, Andrews Patel Hematology/Oncology and Esteem Penn State Health Cosmetic Associates facilities.