Lake Health is Now Part of University Hospitals
Lake Health is now part of the University Hospitals (UH) health system, which is comprised of 23 hospitals, more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities and 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout Northeast Ohio.
As UH’s flagship community-based health care provider for Lake County, patients can continue to receive outstanding care from the same Lake Health doctors and nurses in the same locations they have come to know and trust.
In fact, this partnership builds on our similar visions for expanding services in Lake County and ensuring patients have convenient access to the most advanced health care close to home.
Please be patient as we work together to integrate our two systems, knowing we are committed to maintaining the positive patient experience you have come to expect from both Lake Health and University Hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that you may have questions about Lake Health joining the UH health system and what it means for you and your family. Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help you learn more about our vision and what we’re trying to achieve together.
How soon will Lake Health join University Hospitals?
Lake Health became an official member of the UH health system on April 16, 2021. As UH’s community-based provider in Lake County, it is important to know that for our patients, nothing changes. You can still receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today.
It will take time to integrate our two health care systems, but in the coming months you will see new temporary signage on the outside of our buildings, new patient billing statements and access to more services being added. Merging our medical record systems and patient portals, combining insurance contracts, merging scheduling systems and websites will take more time. Check back on this FAQ page for updates.
Will I still be able to see my Lake Health doctor for care?
Yes, you can still receive outstanding care from the same Lake Health doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today. As UH’s community-based provider in Lake County, University Hospitals is committed to maintaining Lake Health’s flagship hospitals – Lake West Medical Center, TriPoint Medical Center and Beachwood Medical Center – and its outpatient medical campuses and physician offices.
As part of the UH system, patients will have access to an even broader number of providers and specialists in our combined network.
Where should I go for my treatment now that Lake Health is part of UH?
You should continue to access care the same way you have prior to Lake Health joining UH. The same Lake Health doctors and nurses will continue to provide care in the same locations that you have come to know and trust. You don’t need to travel anywhere different than where you would normally go to access treatment.
What types of changes will we see at Lake Health?
UH is committed to expanding access to specialty services and community health and wellness initiatives to reduce the need for people to travel for care and treatment which could be provided locally. The goal is to build on the existing partnerships we already have with UH for cancer care, cardiothoracic surgery and Beachwood Medical Center to meet the growing health care needs of those who live and work in Lake County and surrounding communities.
I have always received great care at Lake Health. What if I don’t want to lose that?
We understand our patients have preferences on who cares for them. We are committed to building on the strengths of both Lake Health and University Hospitals to make our combined organization the very best it can be for our patients. Integration teams that include representatives from both health care systems are working together to make sure we are incorporating best practices from both to ensure the best care and experience for our patients.
How do I schedule an appointment now that Lake Health is part of UH?
The Lake Health appointment scheduling process has not changed. You can continue to schedule appointments online for most Lake Health Physician Group providers or call their office directly. For imaging and initial rehab appointments, you can schedule through our Lake Health Centralized Scheduling Department by calling 866-652-5253. Follow-up rehab appointments can be scheduled directly with your rehab team.
For lab appointments, no appointment is needed for routine blood work. If you are told to make an appointment for a specialized lab test, please call Lake Health’s Laboratory Client Services Department at 440-953-6023 to schedule a time.
Will Lake Health still accept my health insurance?
Yes, Lake Health will continue to maintain the same insurance contracts that were in place prior to joining UH. For a list of insurance plans that Lake Health accepts, click here.
Can my Lake Health doctor access my test results on my UH patient portal?
Lake Health providers currently receive UH test results (like lab and radiology) in the Lake Health medical records system and will continue to do so. Similarly, if a UH patient receives testing at a Lake Health facility, results will file into the UH medical records system and be available to your UH provider.
University Hospitals and Lake Health will be implementing a new electronic health record system over the next couple of years. Once that happens, Lake Health and UH providers will be able to retrieve your full medical records from the same system.
Will I continue to receive bills for services or visits performed at Lake Health from Lake Health?
Services or visits performed at Lake Health for inpatient, outpatient and professional services will be billed by Lake Health. In the near future, the Lake Health patient statements will be redesigned to incorporate UH branding. Patients on existing Lake Health payment plans will not see any changes for the next several months.
If UH is in-network for my insurance and Lake Health was out-of-network, will Lake Health now be considered in-network?
Lake Health and UH will continue to maintain the same insurance contracts that were in place prior to Lake Health joining the UH system and generally have the same health plans. You can verify your plan’s status by visiting the Lake Health and University Hospitals websites.
