UW Medicine, MultiCare Health System form new alliance

UW Medicine and MultiCare Health System have formed a new alliance that will expand access to high-quality health care and allow the two organizations to engage in joint activities to further the mission of each organization.

The parties recently signed a comprehensive agreement setting forth the terms of this new relationship.

This partnership brings together two health systems with the goal of broadening access and enhancing the quality of health care. Through the alliance, UW Medicine and MultiCare will provide cost-effective and clinically integrated health care in communities throughout the Puget Sound region while supporting the education of the next generation of clinicians and advancing research.

The parties’ joint activities will be guided by four core principles: the provision of high-quality, patient-centered care; a commitment to teaching and research; ensuring strong financial stewardship to deliver value to the payors of health care services; and a focus on improving the health of populations served by the alliance.

“The challenges of a changing healthcare landscape and the needs of our patient populations make it imperative for us to seek out new, more effective approaches to delivering care,” said Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine. “The alliance between MultiCare and UW Medicine is the perfect example. It capitalizes on the unique strengths of each system, and directs our combined energy and expertise toward a common mission of improving care and creating a consistently outstanding patient experience, all at a more affordable cost.”

“We are pleased that we have found a partner committed to collaborating to expand access to care and to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Bill Robertson, president and CEO of MultiCare Health System. “Together, we will develop new ways to take care of patients as we pursue better outcomes at a lower cost. We look forward to the opportunities created by this innovative alliance with UW Medicine.”

UW Medicine and MultiCare’s first major endeavor through the alliance is the development of a Pacific Northwest clinically integrated network with other providers in the region. The goal in creating the network is to improve value to patients and the purchasers of healthcare by improving the quality of care delivered and reducing overall cost. UW Medicine and MultiCare are committed to achieving the level of clinical and financial integration that will drive this change.

The network will provide the full continuum of care while capitalizing on research developments and innovative strategies coming out of UW Medicine, MultiCare and other partners.