Catholic Health, Catholic Medical Partners, Independent Health reach new, 2-year agreement

Long-term deal ensures IHA members continue to have access to Catholic Health services and facilities

Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners on Friday announced they reached a new agreement with Independent Health continuing the long-term relationship between the three organizations.

A press release said, “The two-year agreement en­sures that Independent Health members will continue to have access to Catholic Health hospitals and its com­prehen­sive network of services, as well as the 900 physicians affiliated with Catholic Medical Part­ners through 2024.”

“As the quality, patient safety, and patient experience leader in Western New York, we are pleased to come to an agreement that works for Catholic Health, Independent Health and, most importantly, the thousands of members we both serve,” said health system President and CEO Mark Sullivan. “We’d like to thank Independent Health for recognizing the important role we have in improving the health of our community, the hard work of our caregivers, and the quality and value we bring to health care through­out Western New York.”

As one of the largest health systems in Western New York, Catholic Health serves thousands of patients across its network of hospitals, subacute care facilities, primary care centers, home care agencies, and diagnostic and treatment centers. Its hospital network includes Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, and Sisters of Charity Hospital and its St. Joseph campus.

“Independent Health takes pride in developing collaborative relationships with our local provider partners to meet the health care needs of Western New York,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and CEO. “As the only truly local health plan, we understand the needs and opportuni­ties facing our region, and we recognize the importance of maintaining strong relationships with local health systems and practices to serve our members and our community.”

The press release said, “Along with the independent physician practices in Catholic Medical Partners, Catholic Health integrates the most advanced clinical and information technology with a tradition of medical excellence and com­passionate care to carry out our mission to care for all. As the recipient of numerous local, regional and national awards for quality, safety and efficiency, Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners continue to lead the transformation of healthcare in Western New York.”

“Catholic Medical Partners is excited to continue our collaboration with Independent Health to im­prove the health and wellness of our community,” said Margaret Paroski, M.D., MMM, president and CEO and chief medical officer. “We are pleased Independent Health values our physicians’ hard work in addressing preventative care, chronic disease management, and social determinants of health.”

The press release said, “As the region’s local health plan for over 40 years, Independent Health has remained dedicated to improving the health and well-being for all of Western New York. Today, Independent Health serves nearly 340,000 members and is recognized nationally for its award-winning customer service, dedication to quality health care and unmatched relationships with physicians and providers.”

“During negotiations with Catholic Health and all our other provider partners, we work hard to find areas of common ground, and we focus on our collective commitments to improving community health and providing access to high-quality care and affordable health coverage,” Cropp added. “It is our firm belief that, when we share common goals that center on our community’s needs, we can more effectively navigate the complexity of negotiating contracts and balancing the financial position of our provider partners with our fiduciary responsibility to the members and employers we serve.”