ProHealth Care teaming with Optum on revenue cycle, other tech
Optum will assume responsibility for ProHealth Care's rev cycle management, IT, informatics, analytics and inpatient care management.
Photo: Al David Sacks/Getty Images
ProHealth Care, based in Wisconsin, is teaming up with Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group, on revenue cycle management and other technology in an effort to shore up its tech solutions and enhance patient care.
Through the relationship, Optum will assume responsibility for ProHealth Care's revenue cycle management, information technology, informatics, analytics and inpatient care management. The more than 800 ProHealth Care employees who work in these departments will transition to Optum and continue to support the health system and local community, according to UHG.
The ProHealth Care employees who will join Optum will have new opportunities for professional development and career advancement while also gaining access to new tools and technologies, UHG said.
"Optum and ProHealth Care share a similar mission focused on transforming healthcare for the people and communities we serve," said Chris Pass, president, market performance partnerships, at Optum. "We look forward to working with ProHealth Care to implement technology solutions that simplify patient and provider experiences and support administrators, all with the aim of ensuring ongoing, high-quality care."
WHAT'S THE IMPACT
Optum entered into a similar agreement with Northern Light Health in January, agreeing to manage revenue cycles, information systems, inpatient care, analytics, project management office and supply chain for the Maine health system.
As part of this relationship, select Northern Light Health employees will become part of Optum. The companies intend to work together to improve business processes through investment in technology and innovation – this, said UHG, will enable Northern Light Health to access new tools and more resources, ultimately enabling providers to focus more on patient care.
In June, Optum said it would be acquiring home health, hospice and acuity care provider Amedisys in an all-cash deal valued at an estimated $3.3 billion. The agreement called for the acquisition of Amedisys' outstanding common stock in an all-cash transaction for $101 per share.
THE LARGER TREND
Revenue growth at Optum during the second quarter helped fuel strong performance for UHG, with Optum growing 25% to $56.3 billion, and operating earnings growing 13% to $3.7 billion.
That strong showing by the subsidiary helped UHG realize Q2 revenues that, at $92.9 billion, were 16% higher than the year previous.
For Q2, Optum's operating margin of 6.6% compares to 7.3% in the prior year. Optum Health revenue per consumer served increased 33% over last year, driven by growth of more than 900,000 patients served under value-based care arrangements.
Earlier this year, Optum partnered with Bassett Healthcare Network. Optum will provide Bassett with a range of services, including revenue cycle management, advanced data and analytic capabilities, and information technology, with an eye toward advancing quality care and better patient experience.
ON THE RECORD
"ProHealth Care has a long history of building strong strategic partnerships to accelerate our progress and better meet the needs of our patients," said ProHealth CEO Susan Edwards. "Our work with Optum will strengthen our administrative functions as we continue our growth as a premier independent, community-based health system."
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
