The Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health and the Allentown-based Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) plan to merge into one regional well being care system subsequent 12 months. 

Jefferson Health and LVHN introduced Tuesday they signed a non-binding letter of intent to create an built-in care supply system, a nationwide analysis college and an expanded not-for-profit well being plan. 

“Following the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, regulatory approvals and completion of closing conditions, the combined system will be better positioned to improve the health and well-being of rural and urban communities through its health care delivery network, learning environment and Medicare, Medicaid and federal health care exchange insurance offerings in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey,” a spokesperson wrote. 

The spokesperson mentioned the merger will assist speed up entry to well being care providers and medical health insurance advantages for the encircling group and strengthen each organizations’ educational applications. The spokesperson additionally mentioned the brand new system would function 30 hospitals and greater than 700 outpatient websites with greater than 62,000 school, clinicians and employees. 

Jefferson Health and LVHN anticipate to signal a definitive settlement and shut the transaction sooner or later in 2024. Until the deliberate merger, each well being techniques will proceed to function as separate, impartial entities. 

Upon the merger, Dr. Joseph G. Cacchione will proceed to function Jefferson’s Chief Executive Officer whereas Brian A. Nester will function Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer and President of the legacy LVHN. 

“We are thrilled to be combining with Jefferson and excited about the immediate and long-term benefits this combination will create for the communities of the Lehigh Valley and eastern Pennsylvania,” Nester mentioned. “In Jefferson, we have now discovered a super companion that shares our tradition and dedication to excellence in scientific care and a studying surroundings, and that has executed a superb job in establishing a extremely profitable well being plan with a pointy concentrate on the well-being of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries.”

Nester will report on to Dr. Cacchione whereas Dr. Baligh R. Yehia will function Executive Vice President/Chief Transformation Officer and President of the legacy Jefferson Health. Dr. Yehia can even report on to Dr. Cacchione. 

“The health care landscape and our communities’ needs are changing; it is critical leading systems evolve and make investments in the future of care and wellness—growing and protecting access to enhanced, affordable, high-quality and innovative care, particularly for historically under-served patients,” Dr. Cacchione mentioned.

A newly built-in Board of Trustees and management staff will likely be made up of members from each well being techniques although the specifics of the staff will likely be decided within the definitive settlement. 

Jefferson is principally situated within the larger Philadelphia area and southern New Jersey and made up of Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Health and Jefferson Health Plans. 

Thomas Jefferson University was based in 1824 and is made up of 10 schools and three faculties providing 200 undergraduate and graduate applications for greater than 8300 college students. 

Jefferson Health is ranked as one of many high well being care techniques within the nation and the most important supplier within the Philadelphia space, serving sufferers at 17 hospitals and greater than 50 outpatient and pressing care areas all through the area. 

Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed well being care group that has supplied well being protection in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for greater than 35 years.

“Combining Jefferson’s and LVHN’s resources will allow us to meet the changing needs of our diverse communities faster, more efficiently and more effectively,” Dr. Cacchione said. “Together—with our combined network of resources and sites of care, managed care expertise, education and research capabilities—we will have the ability to make significant improvements to health outcomes and address health disparities in this region, and beyond, to the benefit our communities, patients, physicians, faculty, staff, students and health plan members.”

LVHN is a nationally ranked well being system primarily based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The well being community consists of 13 hospital campuses, 28 well being facilities, greater than 300 main and specialty care doctor practices and 20 ExpressCARE areas. 

“The expertise derived from these operations is becoming a crucial competency for health systems to deliver on their mission, and Jefferson Health Plans will help drive improvements in health outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations,” Nester mentioned. “We are additionally very excited concerning the alternative to broaden educational and expertise growth applications that may additional bolster our supplier pipeline and improve our potential to draw and retain high expertise to the advantage of the communities we each serve.”