LeadingCare Network NW, LLC Successfully Launched July 10th

LeadingCare Network NW, LLC Successfully Launched July 10th

I am excited to share with you that the LeadingCare Network NW held its inaugural meeting on July 10th and we have 25 LeadingAge Washington members participating in the network.  As you recall, the LeadingCare Network is a provider member driven organization that will negotiate and secure managed care contracts on behalf of the network participants.  The network is designed to help LeadingAge members navigate the world of managed care which is quickly becoming a more dominant customer impacting payments, referrals, operations and attentiveness to quality. 

LeadingCare Network Board members are:

Patrick O’Neill, Christian Health Care

Jenny Mack, Nightingale Communities

Matthew Todd, Bethany

Rick Henry, Foss Home & Village

Jay Woolford, SHAG

Kevin McFeely, Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community

Keith Fauerso, Cheney Care Center

Terry Robertson, Josephine Caring Community

I will serve on the Board as an ex-officio member as well.  We have a great board and members are excited to get started.  And, we already have a payor ready to begin discussions with the network.  United Health Care – Optum has reached out to the network and is interested in exploring opportunities to partner for member contracts here in Washington having worked successfully with similar networks in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio.  Contracting opportunities include all member service types, including skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day, home health, hospice, home care and senior housing.

The Board has hired Strategic Health Care, Steve Wermuth and Barbara to manage the network and assist with contract negotiations.  They have had success in several other states, mentioned above, developing and managing networks with other LeadingAge affiliates. 

If you have been considering becoming a member of the LeadingCare Network NW, now’s the time!!  The network is up and running, the Board and committees are in place and we have payors interested in developing relationships with us.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get in on the ground level and be a part of this strategic initiative. 

If you want more information, please reach out to Barbara Sears at Strategic Health Care at Barbara.Sears@shcare.net.  Barbara will help answer any questions you might have about the LeadingCare Network NW and how to join.  You may also contact me or Patrick O’Neill, Board Chair for information.

Best,

Deb Murphy | Chief Executive Officer * DMurphy@LeadingAgeWA.org