John Muir Health and Optum Launch New, Comprehensive Relationship to Advance Quality Care and Experiences for Patients in Bay Area

Optum Will Manage Key Functions Including Information Technology, Revenue Cycle Management and Analytics

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., and EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (July 17, 2019) – John Muir Health and Optum today announced a comprehensive new relationship focused on advancing delivery of high-quality, convenient and affordable health care to patients in the Bay Area. Optum brings an extensive set of capabilities to this innovative partnership, including operational technologies, analytic solutions and tools, and administrative services expertise to help John Muir Health further advance its clinical and operational performance.

To support John Muir Health’s focus on improving care and experiences for its patients, Optum will manage key nonclinical functions, including information technology, revenue cycle management, analytics, purchasing and claims processing. Optum will also support and further enhance John Muir Health’s Physician Network ambulatory care coordination and utilization management services.

“Optum’s expertise and capabilities will help us expand upon the high-quality patient care we provide to the Bay Area community,” said Cal Knight, president and CEO of John Muir Health. “We share common values with Optum, and this new relationship will help us further deliver on our mission to improve the health of the people we serve. We are committed to remaining independent while embracing partnerships that help us grow, and serve more patients.”

“John Muir Health is one of the most progressive and well respected health systems in the country, and we are honored by this opportunity to help advance its patient-centered mission and growth,” said Eric Murphy, CEO of OptumInsight. “This first-of-its-kind, comprehensive relationship brings the exceptional skills and knowledge of the John Muir Health team together with Optum’s advanced technologies, analytic tools and operational expertise to deliver better health outcomes and patient experiences while reducing the total cost of care.”

Through this new relationship, Optum and John Muir Health will work together to:

• Increase efficiency of administrative operations using innovative technology solutions to reduce administrative workload and enable John Muir Health to maintain its focus on patient care.
• Accelerate John Muir Health’s ability to deliver value-based care and lower care delivery costs by applying proven approaches to integrated, coordinated care.
• Bring more data-driven insight to care providers and patients at the point of care using Optum clinical technologies and advanced analytic tools. Expected benefits include more fully engaging consumers in their health, identifying chronic conditions sooner and reducing overall care delivery costs.

As part of this comprehensive relationship, approximately 540 John Muir Health employees will become Optum employees. They will continue to directly support John Muir Health’s work and mission as part of a dedicated John Muir Health team within Optum. With access to new skill-development opportunities, technologies and processes at Optum, these team members will build on their successful work in making John Muir Health the health system of choice for people in the Bay Area.

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About Optum

Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. With more than 165,000 people worldwide, Optum delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that help to modernize the health system and improve overall population health. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH). For more information, visit www.Optum.com.

Optum Media Contact:

Gwen Holliday
202-549-3429
gwen.m.holliday@optum.com

About John Muir Health

John Muir Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care organization east of San Francisco serving patients in Contra Costa, Alameda and southern Solano Counties. It includes a network of more than 1,000 primary care and specialty physicians, more than 6,000 employees, medical centers in Concord and Walnut Creek, including Contra Costa County’s only trauma center, and a Behavioral Health Center. John Muir Health also has partnerships with UCSF Health, Tenet Healthcare/San Ramon Regional Medical Center and Stanford Children's Health. The health system offers a full-range of medical services, including primary care, outpatient and imaging services, and is widely recognized as a leader in many specialties – neurosciences, orthopedic, cancer, gynecologic surgery, cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, pediatrics and high-risk obstetrics care.

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John Muir Health Media Contact:

Ben Drew
925-947-5387
Ben.Drew@johnmuirhealth.com