Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lake Health joining University Hospitals?
Earlier this year Lake Health began exploring strategic partnership options, trying to find a like-minded organization that shared its culture and long-term vision for health care in Lake County and surrounding communities.
That review over the past nine months has culminated in a decision this week by the Lake Health Board of Trustees to join University Hospitals.
By joining University Hospitals (UH), Lake Health will become its flagship health care provider organization for Lake County and surrounding communities. In fact, University Hospitals is committed to maintaining Lake Health’s flagship hospitals – West Medical Center, TriPoint Medical Center and Beachwood Medical Center – and its outpatient medical campuses and physician offices.
Like Lake Health, UH is committed to expanding services to meet the growing health care needs of those in the communities they serve. In fact, this agreement builds on existing partnerships we have with UH for cancer care, cardiothoracic surgery and Beachwood Medical Center.
Lake Health has a long history of affiliating with local physicians to expand access points within the community while focusing on patient- and family-centered care. One of the main reasons Lake Health decided to join UH was its support of its employed physicians and its collaborations with independent physicians. Lake Health and UH have a shared commitment to ensuring decisions about care and treatment remain local and to recruiting additional specialty providers to better serve our communities.
Last but certainly not least, providing health care to our communities could not occur without our medical staff providers and team members. As UH’s Lake County flagship community-based health care provider, patients can continue to receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations they have come to know and trust.
Will Lake Health maintain its hospitals and other medical facilities in the community?
University Hospitals is committed to maintaining Lake Health’s flagship hospitals – West Medical Center, TriPoint Medical Center and Beachwood Medical Center — and its outpatient medical campuses and physician offices. Joining the UH system will enhance our ability to serve and respond to the health care needs of the community by taking advantage of the skills, knowledge, research opportunities and efficiency that University Hospitals offers.
It is important to know that even after Lake Health joins UH, you will still be able to receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today.
We are fully confident that our similar visions for what health care could look like – delivering care in more ways and in more places – make us ideal partners in shaping the future of health care in Lake County and the surrounding communities.
How soon will Lake Health join University Hospitals?
Both hospitals’ boards voted for Lake Health to join UH. Now the regulatory review process will start. Lake Health and its leadership team will operate as usual while the agreement is going through regulatory review. Once regulatory approvals have occurred, Lake Health intends to join University Hospitals, after which they will begin the process of becoming fully integrated systems.
It is important to know that, right now, nothing changes. Even after Lake Health joins the UH system, you will still be able to receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today.
How will the agreement benefit patients and the community?
Joining UH will provide a real opportunity for Lake Health to create an even better experience for our patients by allowing us to expand access to specialty services and community health and wellness initiatives and reduce the need for people to travel for care and treatment which could be provided locally. Decisions about patient care and treatment will remain local.
University Hospitals is committed to maintaining Lake Health’s flagship hospitals – West Medical Center, TriPoint Medical Center and Beachwood Medical Center – and its outpatient medical campuses and physician offices. This means even after Lake Health joins University Hospitals, you will still be able to receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today.
By joining UH, a known low-cost provider committed to value-based care, we become a model for health care that is rooted in, and specific to, the needs of our local community. This will allow us to expand services, provide more consumer choice and improve affordability.
Can I keep my doctor and keep going to the same place for care?
It is important to know that, right now, nothing changes. Even after Lake Health joins University Hospitals, you will still be able to receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today.
Will Lake Health still accept my health insurance?
Yes, you will still be able to receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today.
Will Lake Health retain its name?
This has not yet been decided. The approach to naming and branding will be part of our ongoing discussions.
