NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwire - March 24, 2011) - Bravo Health - a HealthSpring company, today announced that Genesis HealthCare, a leading provider of skilled nursing facilities (SNF) in Maryland, is now participating in the company's SNF network.
"Our goal is to enhance overall quality and appropriateness of healthcare delivery by effectively coordinating care between the hospital and SNF," said Tom Rekart, president of the East Region and an executive vice president of HealthSpring. "We are confident that the addition of Genesis HealthCare as one of our SNF providers will assist hospital teams in facilitating a timely and safe SNF transition for our members, and also help avoid unnecessary re-hospitalizations."
A 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found hospital readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries to be prevalent and costly. According to the study, almost one-fifth of all Medicare patients are readmitted within a month of being discharged, and a third are re-hospitalized within 90 days.(1)
"We are pleased to be part of Bravo Health's SNF network," said David Almquist, Genesis HealthCare's Southern Area president. "Bravo Health and Genesis are like-minded in our commitment to delivering high quality care to those we serve. Referring Bravo Health members to Genesis HealthCare also helps reduce the administrative burden on the hospital team when patients require skilled nursing facility care."
Genesis HealthCare ranks among the top providers for overall customer satisfaction and quality medical care, according to national independent research. A number of Genesis HealthCare centers in Maryland have earned the Quality Award from the American Health Care Association (AHCA), and in recent years, the MyInnerView "Excellence in Action" Award, a national award recognizing a commitment to quality.
In order to access a Genesis HealthCare facility, simply contact the centralized Genesis HealthCare Coordinator at 1-800-205-9342. Genesis will then work with Bravo Health directly to obtain the necessary authorizations and coordinate the transfer for the Bravo Health member.
**Media Note: For a full list of Genesis HealthCare facilities participating in Bravo Health's SNF network, please visit www.bravohealth.com/News.
About Bravo Health -- a HealthSpring Company
Bravo Health, a HealthSpring Company is a subsidiary of HealthSpring, one of the country's largest Medicare Advantage coordinated care plans. HealthSpring provides the Bravo Health plan to members in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and some Texas markets. HealthSpring is based in Nashville, Tenn., and currently owns and operates Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C. HealthSpring also offers a national stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan. For more information, visit www.bravohealth.com. Media information is available at HealthSpring's press site: http://press.healthspring.com.
About Genesis HealthCare
Genesis HealthCare operates more than 200 skilled nursing centers and assisted living residences in 13 states, including 33 in Maryland and Virginia. They also supply contract rehabilitation therapy to more than 1,100 healthcare providers in 28 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, information, go to www.genesishcc.com.
(1) Rehospitalizations among Patients in the Medicare Fee-for-Service Program. Stephen F. Jencks, M.D., M.P.H., Mark V. Williams, M.D., and Eric A. Coleman, M.D., M.P.H. N Engl J Med 2009; 360:1418-1428 (April 2, 2009).