What is Ohio High Value Network?
Twenty-five rural hospitals are launching the Ohio High Value Network to collaborate on clinical and business initiatives to strengthen healthcare in rural communities across the state. Our health system is a founding member of this growing network.
The network’s foundation is a clinically integrated network (CIN) caring for a population of more than 2.5 million patients. The CIN features 25 hospitals and other care sites in more than 115 cities and towns across 37 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The CIN will drive OHVN’s quality enhancement initiatives and care coordination efforts, and reduce administrative burdens for providers.
Who are the founding members of the Ohio High Value Network?
| Member organization | Hospital locations* |
| Adams County Regional Medical Center | Seaman |
| Adena Health System | Chillicothe, Waverly, Greenfield, Washington Court House |
| Blanchard Valley Health System | Findlay, Bluffton |
| Firelands Regional Medical Center | Sandusky, Toledo |
| Fisher-Titus Medical Center | Norwalk |
| Fulton County Health Center | Wauseon |
| Genesis Healthcare System | Zanesville |
| Holzer Hospital | Gallipolis, Jackson |
| Henry County Hospital | Napoleon |
| Knox Community Hospital (Ovation) | Mount Vernon |
| Magruder Hospital | Port Clinton |
| Memorial Health System | Marietta |
| Pomerene Hospital | Millersburg |
| Salem Regional Medical Center | Salem |
| Southern Ohio Medical Center | Portsmouth |
| Wood County Hospital | Bowling Green |
| Wooster Community Hospital | Wooster |
*Some communities listed here are home to more than one hospital
Is our hospital being sold to a big health system?
No. Fulton County Health Center, like every member of OHVN, remains an independent hospital/health system that can focus on the needs of the local community we serve. OHVN is more like a farmer’s cooperative: A cooperative fosters collaboration and handles some tasks jointly for its members, who continue to otherwise operate independently.
Why is our hospital joining OHVN?
Many of the toughest challenges in healthcare have pushed hospitals and physician groups to combine into larger health systems, because economies of size and scale are crucial to building the capabilities needed to meet these challenges.
Larger health systems based in Ohio’s largest cities have a critical role to play in caring for our communities, as some patients will continue to need the very specialized care delivered in academic medical centers.
That said, patients in our community are best served by preserving our hospital’s dedicated focus on serving the needs of patients and providers in our community. OHVN helps our members gain the benefits of size and scale without giving up the ability to tailor decisions to the needs of their local communities.
Are we joining OHVN because our hospital is in financial trouble?
No. Fulton County Health Center continues to remain financially viable, even as we face a difficult operating environment. Joining OHVN will allow us to take advantage of joint purchasing that saves money, as well as exchange operational best practices with other rural health systems across the state.
How will decisions about healthcare in our community be made after joining OHVN?
Exactly the same way that they are now: Our board and health system leaders—who live and work in our community—will continue to make those decisions. We are joining OHVN to accomplish things that we cannot do on our own. Making decisions about healthcare in our community is not one of those things.
What does joining OHVN mean for local patients?
By working together with other independent rural hospitals, we will pool our clinical and business know-how to ensure continued access to high-quality care that strengthens our community. These efforts will improve care coordination, support medical practitioners and promote more efficient operations.
As the collaboration deepens among members, the network will be a strong partner with payers on value-based insurance products that improve quality, reduce cost, and enhance patient and provider experience.
What are some specific benefits patients will see from our hospital joining this network?
Sustaining high-quality care in our community for the long term is great news for patients. Here are some specific benefits that patients will see from our hospital’s membership in Ohio High Value Network:
- Clinical initiatives through OHVN will enable members to benchmark their performance and find areas to further enhance clinical quality.
- The data platform members will participate in enables better care coordination for patients who need treatment at multiple locations.
- Reducing administrative burdens on clinicians leaves them more time to focus on patients, and over time, can help reduce burnout. That helps us retain excellent physicians and other providers in our community.
- The members can work together with payers on value-based arrangements that an individual member may not be able to do on its own. Patients benefit when insurers and hospitals develop these win-win relationships.
- The members will bolster their ability to control costs for equipment and contracted services by negotiating as a group, and controlling these costs helps maintain affordability for patients.
How are medical practitioners, nurses and employees of the hospital affected by joining OHVN?
OHVN will promote greater stability and success for its members through its clinical and business initiatives. When our hospitals and clinics thrive, our medical practitioners, nurses and employees benefit, too. For medical practitioners, the OHVN Clinical Integration Committee will be a supportive peer community. Business and operational leaders will have a similar peer group.
Will you still accept my health insurance?
Yes, joining OHVN has no immediate impact on our contracts with health insurers. As the collaboration deepens among members, the network will be a strong partner with insurers on value-based insurance products that improve quality, reduce cost, and enhance patient and provider experience.
