Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Jefferson Health System Collaborate on New Business Relationship

Philadelphia, PA – March 13, 2007 – Keystone Mercy Health Plan and Jefferson Health System (JHS) today announced that agreement has been reached on a new long-term hospital, physician, and ancillary provider contract for the provision of healthcare services until March 1, 2010.

Under their new collaborative relationship, Keystone Mercy members will continue to have access to JHS hospitals including, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Methodist Hospital, the Main Line Health hospitals (Lankenau, Bryn Mawr and Paoli), the three Frankford Hospital campuses, and the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. In addition, included in the new arrangements are MossRehab, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, and other ancillary providers such as their home care and ambulance companies, and several physician practices.

“We are very pleased to continue our relationship with the largest and one of the best healthcare systems in our area. This agreement came about because of an integrated team effort and commitment by many at Keystone Mercy and JHS. It provides evidence of our continued commitment to improve our members’ access to care and to build healthier communities,” said Anne Morrissey, President, Pennsylvania Managed Care, Keystone Mercy.

“This new, long-term business relationship between our two organizations sets a new standard for working together with our providers,” commented Bill Morsell, Senior Vice President, Provider Network Management, and Keystone Mercy.

“We are committed to providing health care services to all who live in the communities we serve. We are especially pleased that this new arrangement will extend for at least three years, allowing Keystone Mercy members to know that the 14 hospitals and 4500 physicians and other medical professionals in our system will be there for them when they are needed, whether for preventive, elective or emergency care,” said David F. Simon, Senior Vice President, JHS.

Keystone Mercy Health Plan, a health care ministry of the Sisters of Mercy in affiliation with Keystone First, Inc., is the largest Medical Assistance managed care organization in Pennsylvania, serving more than 270,000 Medical Assistance recipients. Keystone Mercy's mission is to help people get care, stay well and build healthy communities. For more information about Keystone Mercy Health Plan, please visit www.keystonemercy.com.

Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, the Jefferson Health System has more than $3 billion in annual revenues, 27,000 full-time employees, 3,700 beds and 4,500 medical staff members, making it the largest health system in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Published: 3-13-2007

Contact:
Andrew Davis, 215-937-8598
Rick Buck, 215-863-5102
David Simon (JHS), 610-225-6298