MedAssets (NASDAQ: MDAS) today announced it has amended its multi-year
agreement with Texas Purchasing Coalition (TPC) to provide for the
addition of its newest member, Hendrick Health System (Hendrick), which
includes a 504-bed acute care medical center located in Abilene, Texas.
The amendment follows the announcement in January 2010 that TPC, a
member-owned supply chain management partnership, had signed a
multi-year agreement with MedAssets to provide innovative supply chain
solutions.
MedAssets Strategic Sourcing Supports Leveraged Buying Power
Hendrick serves 22 counties in Texas and employs more than 2,700 people.
The community institution decided to switch from its incumbent group
purchasing organization (GPO) and join TPC in an effort to lower the
costs of its hospital-related supplies. With the addition of Hendrick,
TPC now comprises 11 healthcare organization members representing 27
hospitals across Texas. Its members and affiliated physicians have
gained buying power by contracting in unison for items within MedAssets comprehensive
contract portfolio, which includes more than 1,800 contracts with
over 1,100 leading manufacturers and distributors of high quality
medical products and supplies. The combination of TPC’s economies of
scale and MedAssets strategic sourcing solution has enabled TPC to
create a customized, customer-driven approach to reducing total supply
costs.
In addition to GPO and customized supply chain management capabilities,
as a member of TPC, Hendrick also stands to benefit from MedAssets
physician preference item (PPI) consulting services and spend management
analytics to further enhance cost reduction opportunities. By assessing
clinical utilization and engaging clinicians in the cost containment
process, MedAssets will support Hendrick clinicians and administrative
staff in the development of performance tools and processes to enhance
compliance and identify saving opportunities, including high-expense
medical devices and supplies.
Value Analysis to Control Costs at a Whole New Level
“We were impressed that MedAssets strategic sourcing solution allows for
contract customization that supports the TPC business model,” Tim
Lancaster, president and chief executive officer, Hendrick. “After
reviewing our options, we realized that joining this coalition also
would give us access to MedAssets knowledge, technology and experts to
control costs at a whole new level. Acting on our own we could never
afford to staff conducting a comprehensive value analysis on the total
costs of care. This agreement is an essential step toward sustaining our
financial viability and ability to continue to provide excellent patient
care in our community.”
Documented TPC Benefits to Date
Since December 2010, MedAssets has supported TPC members in achieving
$32 million in cost savings. A majority of the results to date stem from
analysis of utilization and purchase practices of PPIs, which typically
can represent 40 percent of a hospital supply budget.
“Hendrick recognized the importance of finding innovative ways to reduce
costs to prepare for what healthcare reform will bring, which is less
money to provide the same level of care,” said Geoff Brenner, president
and chief executive officer, Texas Purchasing Coalition. “MedAssets has
brought structure, process and predictability to an otherwise
challenging and disparate supply chain process. Our members are
benefiting from aggressive pricing programs combined with flexibility in
contracting to maximize benefits. Our results to date demonstrate we
have made the right choice.”
According to John Bardis, chairman, president and chief executive
officer, MedAssets, “The addition of Hendrick to the Texas Purchasing
Coalition is a testimony to the appeal of MedAssets capability to
deliver a single-source option for healthcare providers seeking
contemporary spend management strategies. We understand that the
challenges of the modern healthcare environment demand that hospitals
seek innovative tools and solutions for fundamental process change. We
are gratified to expand our relationship with the Texas Purchasing
Coalition and to continue our good work to support its members in
transforming operations to achieve sustainable performance improvement
and maintain delivery of high-quality care.”
About Hendrick Health System
Hendrick Health System was founded in 1924 as a not-for-profit
healthcare institution in response to a community need for quality
healthcare. Today, Hendrick Health System includes Hendrick Medical
Center, licensed for 500 beds, and a comprehensive range of healthcare
services, including centers for care in women's, cancer, rehabilitation,
children's and cardiovascular services. With more than 2,700 employees,
Hendrick serves 21 counties in the Texas Midwest area. Hendrick has
received the Gallup Great Workplace Award for five years in a row and
has earned the Pathway to Excellence designation from the American
Nurses Credentialing Center. In fall 2009, Hendrick broke ground on
Project 2010, the largest expansion project in the hospital's 85-year
history. For more information, visit http://www.hendrickhealth.org.
About Texas Purchasing Coalition
The Texas Purchasing Coalition (TPC) is a supply chain management
partnership that operates across Texas. The TPC is comprised of 11 Texas
not-for-profit health systems representing 27 facilities that have
committed to work together to lower their supply costs. The TPC enables
its members to be recognized as one large system, thus aggregating their
purchase volume and commitment to maximize tiered pricing options,
create unique value, and develop customized programs. Combined, TPC
members represent approximately $800 million in annual supply purchases.
For more information, go to www.thetpc.com.
About MedAssets
MedAssets (NASDAQ: MDAS) partners with healthcare providers to improve
financial strength by implementing spend management and revenue cycle
management solutions that help control cost, improve margins and cash
flow, increase regulatory compliance and optimize operational
efficiency. MedAssets serves more than 180 health systems, 4,000
hospitals and 90,000 non-acute healthcare providers. The company
currently manages $45 billion in supply spend and touches over $316
billion in total patient revenue annually through its revenue cycle
solutions. For more information, go to www.medassets.com.
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