Wisconsin-based health system ProHealth Care has signed on with Optum for a "strategic relationship" that aims to streamline its administrative needs to improve care for patients.
The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary will take on ProHealth's revenue cycle management, information technology, informatics, analytics and inpatient care management, according to an announcement issued Wednesday. More than 800 ProHealth Care employees will make the shift to Optum, continuing to support the system.
Allowing Optum to take over these technology duties frees up time for the health system to focus on delivering high-quality care and patient experiences.
“ProHealth Care has a long history of building strong strategic partnerships to accelerate our progress and better meet the needs of our patients,” said Susan Edwards, CEO at ProHealth Care, in the release. “Our work with Optum will strengthen our administrative functions as we continue our growth as a premier independent, community-based health system.”
The companies said the workers joining the Optum team will have access to additional technology tools they can use in their work as well as potential opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
“Optum and ProHealth Care share a similar mission focused on transforming health care for the people and communities we serve,” said Chris Pass, president of market performance partnerships at Optum, in the release. “We look forward to working with ProHealth Care to implement technology solutions that simplify patient and provider experiences and support administrators, all with the aim of ensuring ongoing, high-quality care.”
Optum entered into a similar arrangement with Maine-based health system Northern Light Health, which was announced in January.