He said Miami is in the midst of contract negotiations with TriHealth after 12 proposals were submitted in March in response to a Request for Proposals made by the university.
TriHealth was selected over the local McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, which is currently managing Miami’s on-site health clinics for two populations: university-enrolled students (16,500) and Miami employees and dependents (7,000 lives) on its health plan, according to Creamer.
The contract with McCullough-Hyde expires June 30.
Miami is now seeking a multi-year contract with TriHealth, a network of four hospitals and over 100 health provider locations in Greater Cincinnati including Bethesda Butler Hospital in Hamilton.
“In selecting TriHealth, they bring more experience in management of clinics like this,” Creamer said. “A larger organization will better be able to be responsive to our changing needs. We need technology improvements in scheduling and billing.”
TriHealth is also being considered by McCullough-Hyde, Butler County’s last remaining independent hospital, in its effort to affiliate with a larger health system.
Creamer said the university is working to develop the terms of the agreement with TriHealth. He said the two entities plan to reach an agreement in mid-to late-June and have a contract in place by July 1.
TriHealth officials reserved comment for after contract negotiations have been completed.
In the proposal submitted by TriHealth, the network recommended a phased approach for a transition of this “magnitude.”
“We know what it takes to transition smoothly from one vendor to another,” TriHealth’s proposal states. “We have provided our methodical, phased approach that lends itself to the least amount of disruption while preparing the clinic for a full transformation to achieve Miami University’s goals.”
In the first phase, TriHealth would prepare for the 2014-15 academic year by getting staff in place, acclimating the current staff to TriHealth’s processes and policies, and establishing the information technology infrastructure needed for Epic and Agility, TriHealth’s two electronic medical records systems.
The technology equipment would be purchased by TriHealth and leased to Miami.
TriHealth officials detailed several other phases focusing on operational and design enhancements and sustainability. Among items were converting some exam rooms into urgent care areas for students and employees, and utilizing TriHealth’s purchasing power for medications.
Before entering negotiations with TriHealth, Miami also received proposals from McCullough-Hyde, Mercy Health, Premier Health, UC Health, Concentra, Christ Hospital and Cerner, among others.
In fact, Creamer said he was surprised by the rate of response from agencies interested in managing the university’s health services.
“It gives us a better understanding of the options available to Miami,” Creamer said.
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