sutter health
ALSO NOTED: Tenet offers more hospital ownership stakes; Sutter nurses consider strike; and much more...
> Tenet is continuing its program of offering ownership interests in its hospitals, this time at Houston Northwest Medical Center. Read more...
RediClinic gets Medicare contract
When talk of retail clinics first emerged, most assumed that their primary business would be cash-based. After all, if you're going to charge low prices, you might not want to take on the expense of collecting insurance reimbursement. But for many retail clinic operators, that's not how its shaping up. The most recent example comes from RediClinic, which has just announced that it will accept traditional Medicare coverage at its 46 U.S. locations. The company already has contracts in …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: Sutter teams with HealthSouth on surgery centers; Cutting waits for care; and much more...
> Sutter Health has agreed to a joint venture with HealthSouth under which it will run a group of California surgery centers, as well as possibly developing more. Article
> Looks like a growing number of providers are setting up systems which cut or even eliminate waits for care. …
... Read more...New retail clinic serves air travelers
A new retail clinic venture plans to focus on airport locations, beginning with one of Georgia's most active. AeroClinic has launched its first location in the main terminal of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport. In addition to offering routine care for minor ailments, the clinic will also offer preventive testing, physical exams and routine immunizations. The company plans to open its next location in Philadelphia International Airport later this summer. The clinic accepts Aetna …
... Read more...Sutter Health succeeds with retail clinics
Happy with the progress of its initial efforts, Sutter Health is expanding its $2 million retail clinic rollout. The Sacramento, CA-based health system runs six clinics in northern California, all based in Rite Aid pharmacies, and should add several more through 2008. (Rite Aid, for its part, is also happy with the retail clinic concept; it's looking for more health system partners who are willing to create in-store clinics.) Malpractice and liability insurance costs have been a bit …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: Racial disparities in kidney transplants; A new Sutter hospital; and much more...
> It's a troubling disparity: while African-Americans are more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease, they're less likely than white patients to get a kidney transplant. Study
> Sutter Health is planning to build the first community hospital in Elk Grove, CA. The health system has budgeted $200 million for the project. Article
> CVS/Caremark's …
... Read more...With donations, Sutter bonds get final approval
After months of negotiations, northern California's Sutter Health has gotten final state approval for a $910 million bond issue, but only after the health system agreed to substantial donations to rural hospitals and clinics. Sutter will use $750 million for facility upgrades and new construction, including major expansion of its Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Sutter Amador Hospital. The remaining $160 million will go to refinancing long-term debt at more favorable interest rates. …
... Read more...Editor's Corner
Like it or not, retail clinics are gradually becoming a mainstream concept. As this market gathers steam--and it is, despite some initial problems--it's going to change consumer perception of what outpatient care should be. …
... Read more...Sutter gets approval for $1B bond issue
Despite facing vocal opposition, Sutter Health has gotten approval from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) to proceed with its proposed $958 million bond issue. Sutter had hoped to proceed in late 2006, but the CHFFA postponed the decision, in part, perhaps, due to complaints by the Service Employees International United-United Healthcare West, which had …
... Read more...Sutter Health bonds delayed, union pleased
Perhaps due to political pressure from opposition groups, a state agency charged with authorizing tax-exempt bond issues has postponed considering a proposed $958 million bond issue by Sutter Health until next year. The delay was lauded by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare West, which often goes head-to-head with Sutter. The group says that it want to push Sutter hard to use the bond proceeds to lower its prices, a legal requirement included in the bond terms. …
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