A-16 — HERALD-CITIZEN/REGIONAL BUYERS GUIDE, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Wednesday, Janaury 29, 2014
MEDICAL DIRECTORY
CRMC, Vanderbilt making strides in partnership By LAURA MILITANA HERALD-CITIZEN Staff
COOKEVILLE — It’s been more than a year now since the partnership between Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Cookeville Regional Medical Center was finalized. And a lot has happened in that time, Paul Korth, chief executive officer of Cookeville Regional Medical Center, said. “Probably the newest event is the fact that we’ve changed insurance parties to join with Aetna through Vanderbilt’s network,” Korth said. “That went pretty smoothly, from what I understand.” This is part of the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, the largest provider-organized network of doctors, regional health systems and other health care providers in Tennessee and seven surrounding states. Network providers actively collaborate to provide patients with high-quality, efficiently coordinated and cost-effective health care services. This network began organizing in 2010 with the announcement of a local clinically integrated network that then included
Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen
The 100 W. 4th Street building is where Vanderbilt will be operating a pediatric clinic, with hopes of opening in February. Williamson Medical Center, Maury Regional countable Care Organization,” Korth exMedical Center and NorthCrest Medical plained. “It’s all about saving healthcare dolCenter. lars.” “This is all part of an integrated health netThe long-term objective is to be able to work that has the same elements as an Ac- offer a product through Aetna’s brokers to
companies in the community to give them a new choice in health insurance. “It’s a cost-sharing savings program,” he said. On the clinical side, patient referrals are much easier. “We transfer fewer than two percent of patients overall, but the majority are from the emergency department and are psychiatric cases,” he said. Also with this partnership, cancer research will be tied in through the medical university. “There’s a great cancer center here with great physicians,” he said. One big piece of news is the fact that Vanderbilt will be renting space to open an outpatient pediatric clinic for cardiology, general surgery and urology. “Hopefully, the clinic will begin in early February,” he said. “It’s a necessary and needed service.” It’s also a service for those who want a choice in their child’s care. “It’s hard to travel to Nashville for treatment,” he said. “There’s a lot more to come with this partnership. We’re all looking forward to it.”