Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Danville-based Geisinger Health announced the launch of Risant Health and a definitive agreement for Risant Health to acquire Geisinger as its first health system.
Risant Health is a nonprofit organization, created by Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, to adopt value-based care in “diverse, multi-payer, multi-provider, community-based health systems.”
“Kaiser Permanente and Geisinger share a vision for the future of health care, and as the Risant Health name indicates, we believe by working together we will reach new heights in health care and raise the bar for better health for all communities,” said Dr. Jaewon Ryu, president and CEO of Geisinger Health.
Geisinger will maintain its name and mission, and will continue to work with other health plans, employed physicians, and independent providers.
Geisinger said Risant Health’s value-based platform in areas such as care model design, pharmacy, consumer digital engagement, health plan product development, and purchasing will benefit the health system. As the first health system to become part of Risant Health, Geisinger will participate in developing the organization’s strategy and operational model, it said.
Ryu will serve as CEO of Risant Health, transitioning from his current role as the transaction between Risant Health and Geisinger closes, the two companies said.
Risant Health, which it said will operate separately from Kaiser Permanente’s model, said it plans to acquire a portfolio of likeminded, nonprofit, value-oriented community-based health systems anchored in their respective communities.
“Our mission calls on us to find new ways to promote high-quality, affordable, and evidence-based care with equitable and improved health outcomes. Through Risant Health, we will make our value-based care expertise, technology and services available to community-based health systems, like Geisinger, to strengthen their ability to provide value-based care models with a focus on high-quality and equitable health outcomes,” said Greg. A. Adams, chair and CEO, Kaiser Permanente.
John C. Bravman, president of Bucknell University and chair of the Geisinger Health Board of Directors, said, “Our nation and the health care industry have long waited for an organization to step up and lead by bringing forward meaningful solutions to improve health care in America. It is clear now that Kaiser Permanente is that leader, and the launch of Risant Health will make better health easier, more accessible and more affordable for the people and communities we serve in Pennsylvania.”