Starting today, the same physician groups that provide emergency and inpatient care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) are extending their coverage to include Habersham Medical Center (HMC). These services form a new affiliation for HMC with Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS).
“This is an exciting time for HMC and the communities we serve,” says Lynn Boggs, HMC’s chief executive officer. “Our new affiliation with NGHS will enable us to take our exceptional patient care to new heights. The residents of Habersham County no longer need to leave this community and go to Gainesville for emergency and inpatient services. They can receive that same great care closer to home.”
Since the Hospital Authority of Habersham County voted to approve the affiliation on February 19, both hospitals have worked together to develop a leadership structure that supports this collaborative approach to care for these services.
“This agreement helps everyone involved,” says Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS. “Habersham Medical Center becomes a stronger, independent community hospital;
NGMC will open up needed beds in Gainesville as more patients utilize available services in Habersham; and the Habersham community gets improved access to high-quality care.”
Both hospitals already participate in a “clinically integrated network” called HP2. The HP2 network is a group of insurers, hospitals and more than 480 providers from dozens of practices across northeast Georgia who work together to better coordinate patient care. The network’s goal is focused on improving quality and outcomes while reducing cost for patients.
Both organizations remain independent, but they are also continuing due diligence for a letter of intent (LOI) the Hospital Authority of Habersham County and the Habersham County Commission voted to approve last month. The LOI outlines a proposed five-year agreement designed to invest a total of $15 million in HMC’s capital assets to enhance healthcare services. The intent is for NGHS to acquire HMC at the end of the five -year period, assuming the agreement is finalized and specific terms are met.
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ABOUT HABERSHAM MEDICAL CENTER
HMC, a 53-licensed-bed acute care hospital, serves approximately 80,000 residents in Habersham and adjoining counties. HMC operates Habersham Home, an 84-licensed-bed skilled nursing facility, and HCMC Home Care, the service area’s sole agency for hospital-based home health providers.
ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER
Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton and Barrow – the three NGMC campuses have a total of 713 beds and more than 800 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.
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