Advertisement
"We've had a positive, longstanding relationship with Temple UniversityHealth System and are pleased to have their continued participation in ourprovider network," said Joseph A. Frick, IBC's president and CEO. "Teamwork,dedication, and an uncompromising commitment to improve the health of ourmembers and our community are at the core of our progressive multi-yearagreements with Temple, including a strong focus on rewarding qualityperformance through our quality-driven incentive program."
Advertisement
IBC's hospital pay-for-performance program provides TUHS an opportunity toearn additional compensation for delivering increasingly high-quality healthcare to IBC members. This merit-based compensation approach measuresquantitative criteria that improve patient safety performance and quality ofcare, such as minimizing hospital-acquired infections and reducing surgicalcomplications.
Within the last 18 months, Independence Blue Cross has successfullycompleted new contract arrangements with nearly 40 hospitals in its networkand at least eight large health systems, now including TUHS, ensuring membersaccess to a broad network of high-quality health care services. The newagreements with TUHS will provide IBC members with continued access to coveredservices provided by:
-- Temple University Hospital
-- Jeanes Hospital
-- Northeastern Hospital
-- Temple Physicians, Inc. and Senior Health Associates -- a network ofcommunity-based physician practices
-- Temple Health System Transport Inc. -- the health system's ambulanceservices affiliate
In addition, members have access to Temple University Physicians becauseof an earlier agreement IBC reached this year with that group. TempleUniversity Physicians is group of approximately 400 full-time and part-timefaculty members of the Temple University School of Medicine, an affiliate ofTUHS.
"We are pleased to have reached a fair and reasonable agreement thatreflects our ongoing partnership in providing care with a focus on quality andpatient safety," said Joseph W. "Chip" Marshall, III, TUHS president and CEO."We are proud to continue offering IBC members our tradition of excellence inmany well-known, high-quality programs and services, such as lung care andpulmonary disorders, cardiac care, digestive disorders, oncology,orthopaedics, transplantation, and neurosciences -- which have allowed us togrow as a premier health care institution regionally, and, in some cases,nationally."
About Temple University Health System
Temple University Health System (TUHS) is a major academic health networkand Employer of Choice dedicated to providing quality, safe care to theresidents of the greater Philadelphia region. Affiliated with TempleUniversity School of Medicine, TUHS consists of four healthcare-providerfacilities (including Temple University Hospital, Jeanes Hospital,Northeastern Hospital, and Temple University Hospital -- Episcopal campus);Temple Transport Team; and Temple Physicians, Inc., a network ofcommunity-based physician practices. With more than 7,500 employees, TempleUniversity Health System is a proud and responsible member of the Philadelphiacommunity. To learn more about TUHS, visit us at www.templehealth.org.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeasternPennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 millionpeople. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality healthcare coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, andhealth care professionals. Independence B
