WPAHS/Highmark end partnership

[crayz]

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/n ... a=e_pit_bn

this is pretty big news in the HC market for Pittsburgh.

still shocked.

[newarenanow]

I don't know much about healthcare and haven't followed too closely, but do you think this move is due to an impending deal with HighMark and UPMC to extend their contract?

[mac5155]

I wouldn't think so.. if anything, it means UPMC and WPAHS have come to an agreement, leaving Highmark out. Right?

[crayz]

WPAHS had a agreement with Highmark. It was a done deal, transition was already happening....today is a complete shock

I'm guessing partially once they got in and saw the books, they wanted more change and less risk - wpah didn't like it

i'm sure more details will come up soon - but still, pretty crazy

[mac5155]

In other words, this can't be good fir Highmark adn their customers.

[crayz]

In other words, this can't be good fir Highmark adn their customers.

don't necessarily think that

Highmark does a lot of things, like bcbs insurance ---- this brought he hospital

Highmark will be just fine - it may actually help them on the insurance side w/ upmc potentially

[mac5155]

In other words, this can't be good fir Highmark adn their customers.

don't necessarily think that

Highmark does a lot of things, like bcbs insurance ---- this brought he hospital

Highmark will be just fine - it may actually help them on the insurance side w/ upmc potentially

How so, though? I don't get it - if their insurance isnt accepted in Pittsburgh hospitals, isn't that a bad thing?

[Letang Is The Truth]

I wouldn't think so.. if anything, it means UPMC and WPAHS have come to an agreement, leaving Highmark out. Right?

i dont think there are other agreements in place. i think this is wpahs sticking up for themselves and forcing highmark to get serious about an acquisition.

[JeffDFD]

The CEO of Highmark has already come out and said that what WPAHS is saying in order to try to get out of the deal isn't really true and he still sees the partnership as happening and in the best interest of both companies and the market.

Probably posturing for a better deal, but who really knows nowadays

Even if they were to separate, all of the hospitals including WPAHS still have or can negotiate contracts with Highmark

Highmark still has a very large presence in Central PA and has national business and government business...as well as back end business unrelated to providing services (processing, etc)

UPMC and Highmark still have a contract until the end of 2014


This is interesting to see for sure and I am curious as to what is happening

[DocEmrick]

Highmark just went on a hiring binge, so this isn't going to help.

I'm sure the ex-CEO getting his ass beat up for adultery didn't help things either.

[shafnutz05]

My company works closely with West Penn, and this whole affair has been absolutely fascinating to watch unfold from the beginning.

[Letang Is The Truth]

highmark affiliating with st vincent in erie

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/bus ... em-657876/

[JeffDFD]

Highmark and WP are talking and being nice too...but who knows what will happen from here