PinnacleHealth joins UPMC to become UPMC Pinnacle

PinnacleHealth has officially joined the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to become UPMC Pinnacle.

The two health systems announced the affiliation this March.

[Also: PinnacleHealth to affiliate with UPMC, acquire 4 hospital systems in Pennsylvania]

At that time PinnacleHealth announced that in a separate deal, it was acquiring four Pennsylvania hospitals including Memorial Hospital, Lancaster Regional Medical Center, Regional Medical Center and Carlisle Regional Medical Center.

The expansion grows UPMC's presence in central Pennsylvania. For the second quarter, UPMC's operating revenues increased to $14 billion while net income totaled $991 million, according to a released statement on the affiliation.

UPMC's Insurance Services Division has 3.2 million members and is considered the largest medical insurer in western Pennsylvania.

[Also: UPMC unveils new $19 million Hampton outpatient center]

"We are pleased that the affiliation is complete, and we look forward to starting a new chapter of collaboration with UPMC," said Philip W. Guarneschelli, president and CEO of UPMC Pinnacle. "Together, PinnacleHealth and UPMC will bring expanded healthcare services and advanced quality initiatives to patients across central Pennsylvania, allowing us to continue to provide high-value, nationally recognized care."

Pinnacle will continue to have its own governance.

The agreement does not affect patients' care or insurance coverage. UPMC Pinnacle will continue to honor the contracts it has in place with regional insurers and said it would continue to work with multiple payers in the future.

[Also: UPMC Susquehanna buying two Pennsylvania Hospitals from Quorum Health Corp.]

UPMC Pinnacle will also participate with all UPMC insurance products available in this market. Highmark members in central Pennsylvania will continue to have access to care provided by UPMC Pinnacle under a long-term contract extension signed by Highmark Blue Shield and PinnacleHealth in August.

"Our affiliation with UPMC will allow us to build on our healthcare leadership in the region, and continue to bring new tools and services to area residents, as well as attract leading doctors to central Pennsylvania," said Christian Caicedo, MD, UPMC Pinnacle chief medical officer.

UPMC President and CEO Jeffrey A. Romoff said the health system has had a long track record of successful affiliations, all of which have resulted in significant investment and growth in advanced specialty care, primary care and community services.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com