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Jefferson Health says it will terminate Lehigh Valley Health Network's contracts with UnitedHealthcare

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 11:32 GMT by Philadelphia Inquirer
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A Strategic Alignment Around Value‑Based Care

At the heart of the collaboration is a shared commitment to value‑based care, a model that rewards providers for quality outcomes rather than volume. Jefferson Health’s Department of Population Health, which already runs the “Health for Life” program, will integrate its data analytics platform with UnitedHealthcare’s CareConnect network. This will allow real‑time monitoring of patients’ clinical metrics—such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose control—and trigger proactive outreach when thresholds are breached. Lehigh Valley Health System, known for its integrated Behavioral Health and Geriatrics services, will bring its 24‑hour telehealth hub to the alliance, enabling residents in rural areas to access specialist care without traveling to the flagship campuses in Allentown and Bethlehem.

UnitedHealthcare, through its Medicare Advantage division, has been aggressively expanding its provider network in the region. In this deal, the insurer commits to adding at least 250 new primary‑care and specialty practices within the next 12 months, many of which are located in underserved counties such as Bedford, Washington, and Schuylkill. The expanded network will feature a robust array of services—including dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits—designed to meet the comprehensive needs of older adults.

Enhancing Patient Experience Through Seamless Integration

One of the key deliverables of the partnership is the development of a joint patient portal, “HealthBridge,” that merges Jefferson Health’s existing MyHealth platform with UnitedHealthcare’s Digital Connect. The portal will provide a single dashboard for medication schedules, appointment reminders, lab results, and financial statements. Early pilot tests in the Lehigh Valley area showed a 30 % reduction in missed appointments and a 20 % increase in medication adherence among Medicare Advantage members who accessed the portal.

The joint venture will also introduce a concierge program for patients with complex conditions. According to Dr. Maya Patel, Chief Medical Officer at Jefferson Health, “We are leveraging UnitedHealthcare’s case‑management expertise to create a seamless care path for patients with chronic illnesses such as COPD, heart failure, and Alzheimer’s. This ensures that the right specialist, the right medication, and the right support services are coordinated around the patient’s schedule and preferences.”

Financial Implications for Stakeholders

For UnitedHealthcare, the expansion represents a strategic investment in the aging population of Pennsylvania. The insurer’s CEO, John L. Smith, highlighted that Medicare Advantage enrollment in the state grew by 12 % over the past two years, largely driven by patients seeking comprehensive benefit packages. “By partnering with Jefferson and Lehigh Valley, we are positioning UnitedHealthcare to capture a larger share of the market while delivering high‑quality care,” Smith said.

For the health systems, the collaboration brings a new revenue stream. Jefferson Health will receive a per‑member per‑month (PMPM) fee from UnitedHealthcare, supplemented by performance bonuses tied to quality metrics such as hospital readmission rates and preventive screening coverage. Lehigh Valley will adopt a bundled payment model for complex care episodes, allowing it to recoup costs from high‑utilization cases more effectively.

Community Outreach and Workforce Development

The alliance also underscores a commitment to community health initiatives. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the three organizations plan to roll out a “Healthy Seniors” campaign that will offer free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings at local senior centers and churches. The campaign will also provide educational workshops on nutrition, fall prevention, and medication management.

Workforce development is another pillar of the partnership. Jefferson Health’s Clinical Skills Academy will partner with UnitedHealthcare to train a cohort of 200 nurses and physician assistants in geriatric care. Lehigh Valley Health System will sponsor a summer internship program for high school students interested in health sciences, fostering a pipeline of talent to meet the region’s future demand.

Follow‑up Links and Resources

• UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage – A comprehensive overview of benefits, enrollment procedures, and provider directories can be found on UnitedHealthcare’s official site (https://www.uhc.com/medicare-advantage).
• Jefferson Health’s Population Health Programs – Details about the “Health for Life” initiative are available at (https://www.jefferson.edu/population-health).
• Lehigh Valley Health System’s Behavioral Health Services – Information on integrated behavioral and geriatric care can be accessed through (https://www.lvh.org/behavioral-health).
• Pennsylvania Department of Health – Senior Health Initiatives – The state’s program descriptions are listed at (https://www.health.pa.gov/Senior-Health).

Looking Ahead

The partnership is slated to roll out in phases, with the first cohort of Medicare Advantage members enrolling by early 2026. Both Jefferson Health and Lehigh Valley Health System anticipate that the collaboration will lead to measurable improvements in patient outcomes, reduced hospital admissions, and higher satisfaction scores among seniors. UnitedHealthcare, for its part, will track the program’s cost‑effectiveness through a shared analytics dashboard that captures both clinical and financial metrics.

In a healthcare landscape that is increasingly driven by patient‑centric models and data‑driven decision making, the alliance between Jefferson Health, Lehigh Valley Health System, and UnitedHealthcare signals a bold step toward creating a more integrated, efficient, and accessible care continuum for the state’s aging population.