MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND
PEAK VISTA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP
Colorado Springs, CO -- Peak Vista Community Health Centers and Memorial Health System announce that because of a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), which will be administered by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Medicaid patients presenting at Memorial Hospital ’s Emergency Department will receive access to and learn the importance of a permanent healthcare home. Patients using costly emergency rooms for primary care has long been a serious community issue which affects all citizens. More than 18,000 Medicaid/Medicaid eligible non-emergency cases presented at Memorial’s Emergency Department in 2007.
As part of a collaborative effort, Peak Vista and Memorial propose to establish an effective referral program for non-emergency Medicaid patients seeking care at Memorial’s Emergency Department (ED). Memorial’s ED staff will provide initial treatment to patients entering the ED for non-emergency care, and then recommend follow up care with Peak Vista. Funding for the grant will be used to implement the infrastructure with a focus on Medicaid patients. This project will focus on three goals:
1) to educate the Medicaid population about alternative non-emergency care options; 2) to offer real time referrals to alternative non-emergency care through the use of Outreach Case Managers; and 3) to promote the concept of a healthcare home for Medicaid patients so that they will have a better understanding of their healthcare options and appropriately use health care services.
Larry McEvoy, M.D., new CEO for Memorial Health System who will provide space and access on site for patient consultation, indicates that “This is a wonderful opportunity to test a pilot program which, if successful, could serve as a model for other hospitals in our region.”
Peak Vista President and CEO, BJ Scott , agrees. “Partnering with Memorial will allow us to identify and implement processes which will benefit Medicaid patients seeking access to exceptional care in the most appropriate setting for their individual healthcare needs.”
About Peak Vista Community Health Centers
Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a non profit, multi-specialty primary healthcare organization whose mission is to provide exceptional healthcare for people facing access barriers. Established in 1971, Peak Vista today offers primary medical, dental and integrated behavioral health services to over 53,000 residents of the Pikes Peak region. Peak Vista has twelve centers at nine sites and is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare, Inc. More than 400 employees are on staff. To learn more about Peak Vista, visit www.peakvista.org or call 228-6606.
About Memorial Health System
Memorial Health System is a leading employer and provider of comprehensive health services in southern Colorado . As a self-supporting city enterprise, Memorial receives no tax subsidy, yet treats everyone regardless of ability to pay. Being locally-owned and operated means all revenues are reinvested into the hospital and programs to create a healthier community. Memorial continually invests in its people, technology, facilities and practices with the goal of providing excellent service and the most sensitive care to our patients.
Memorial Hospital for Children, in partnership with The Children’s Hospital provides a full range of health care for infants through teens. Services include pediatric emergency/trauma, children’s surgery, specialty clinics, child life therapy, a Pediatric Center , a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
For more information, contact Memorial Health System public relations at (719) 365-5235, ort Peak Vista Community Health Centers public relations at (719) 228-6606.
No comments:
Post a Comment