Vanguard, Tufts Medical Link Up In New Network

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By Rick Saia

Vanguard Health Systems, which owns Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester and Framingham-based MetroWest Medical Center, is planning a health-care network with Tufts Medical Center and its network of physicians. Officials say it will broaden access for patients and offer health care providers more options for industry affiliations.

The new network is expected to begin enrolling members in January 2014, according to a joint statement Tuesday from Vanguard, Tufts and the New England Quality Care Alliance, the 165-member physician network for Tufts.

The joint venture will build upon the organizations' partnerships in the Massachusetts health care market to provide services that will improve patient health and help physicians and hospitals to deliver "high quality, affordable care," the organizations said.

"This arrangement illustrates our commitment to the New England market – one of the most dynamic centers of health care in the United States and across the world," said Erik Wexler, president of the New England market for Vanguard Health Systems and president and CEO of Saint Vincent.

Eric Beyer, president and CEO of Boston-based Tufts, said the agreement comes as the industry moves toward building accountable care organizations, which brings providers into networks that can ensure quality care while avoiding medical errors and duplication of services.

"This will be an innovative partnership unlike anything Massachusetts has seen to date. This system will deliver for patients and providers on cost, service and quality," Beyer said.

The three organizations will develop the specific structure and services of the joint venture over the next few months. Among the services that could be part of the alliance are enhanced chronic care and population health management, streamlined administrative services for physicians and hospitals, new insurance products and direct-to-employer services.

Under terms of the agreement, Tufts will gain a minority stake in MetroWest Medical Center. The two health-care organizations are no strangers: MetroWest has been a pediatric affiliate of Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center in Boston for three years and an adult-care affiliate of Tufts for two years.

"Together we can provide transformative approaches to clinical and business operations, especially around patient safety, care delivery and patient experience," Wexler said. "This relationship further delivers what Massachusetts needs: an enhanced high-quality, lower-cost network that supports community-based care and has access to excellent academic medical center services as well as flexible and sustainable capital," Wexler said.

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