Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and Tower Health - a healthcare system that includes Brandywine, Chestnut Hill, Jennersville, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading hospitals - have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to permit discussions on innovative programs that will better manage care, improve outcomes, and lower costs for patients across southeastern Pennsylvania.
The collaboration, which will include Tower Health's participation in the Independence Facilitated Health Networks model, is focused on improving how the health care system works in the communities the two organizations serve. Working together, Independence and Tower Health will build upon existing approaches and develop new methods to ensure that patients receive care in the most appropriate, high-quality, and cost-effective settings. The collaboration will also include exploring new opportunities to engage with Tandigm Health and Tower Health Partners.
"We are excited to embark on this new journey with Tower Health. At Independence our goal is to make health care easier to access and simpler to use for our members. We are looking forward to exploring innovative ways to achieve that goal with the leadership and team at Tower Health," said Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO at Independence Blue Cross. "This collaboration is part of a bigger initiative and commitment by Independence to partner with community hospitals and physicians to ensure members receive quality care at an affordable price."
"With Independence Blue Cross, Tower Health gets to work with another high-quality organization that shares our commitment to innovation and caring for communities," said Clint Matthews, president and CEO of Tower Health. "I am particularly excited about this collaboration because it will engage our physicians in new ways and will put patient, physician, and employer satisfaction at the center of our efforts to drive changes that will improve the quality of care and lower its cost."
About Tower Health
Tower Health is a strong, regional, integrated healthcare provider/payer system that offers leading-edge, compassionate healthcare and wellness services to a population of 2.5 million people. With approximately 14,000 team members, Tower Health consists of Reading Hospital in West Reading; Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville; Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia; Jennersville Hospital in West Grove; Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville; Pottstown Hospital in Pottstown; and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, a partnership of Tower Health and Drexel University in Philadelphia. It also includes Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing; Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences in West Reading; home healthcare services provided by Tower Health at Home; and a network of 22 urgent care facilities across the Tower Health service area. Tower Health offers a connected network of 2,200 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across more than 230 convenient locations. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.