Health Services Coalition reaches deal with hospital groups
The Health Services Coalition said Thursday it had reached a new two-year contract with the Sunrise Health System hospitals, giving almost 260,000 workers and their families continued access to four major hospitals in Southern Nevada.
Health Services Coalition also announced a new agreement with Valley Health Systems, which operates five hospitals. The current three-year contract with Valley Health was due to expire on March 1.
On Feb. 14, Health Services Coalition executive director Leslie Johnstone warned members that contract talks had broken down with Valley Health over reimbursement rates and programs to improve the quality of care at their facilities.
No terms for either contract were disclosed. Johnstone said the agreement includes future rate increases linked to Sunrise Health reaching certain targeted quality measurements, such as hospital readmission rates.
"Through our negotiations with Sunrise Health, we have been able to come to an agreement on a reasonable price for care and implement new quality measures which will improve hospital care and, in turn, reduce hospital costs for our members," Johnstone said.
Also, Sunrise and HSC have agreed to develop a report card on hospital care that would be available to the public. Sunrise Heath operates Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, MountainView Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center and Sunrise Children's Hospital.
Health Services Coalition, a health care advocacy group representing 22 self-funded insurance plans, provides health insurance coverage for some of the largest unions in Las Vegas, including casino workers, city employees, firefighters and police officers.
Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.
