Feb. 3, 2015
Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) leaders are exploring options for providing care to Wisconsin residents that potentially could include building a cutting-edge tertiary care facility in Marshfield, but plans haven’t been finalized and would need MCHS board of directors approval.
A facility could be built in the next several years on property near the current Clinic and a decision about direction is anticipated before the end of the year.
The MCHS Board in December approved a plan to seek invitation to join AboutHealth, a consortium of health care organizations that aims to improve health care quality, lower costs and contract with health insurers to provide a statewide network of hospitals and clinics; maintain a state-of-the-art tertiary facility in Marshfield; and explore collaborative opportunities with Wausau-based Aspirus, Inc.
This plan aims to find new ways to provide access to quality care, decrease cost of care and create a better business environment.
"We’re trying to meet health care needs of the future that will best serve our patients,” said MCHS CEO Dr. Susan Turney. “We know health care costs are increasing and that many patients can't afford the care they need.”
The Clinic has expertise in reducing cost of care. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services’ Physician Group Practice demonstration project is a great example where the Clinic transitioned care to the best site for a particular treatment, developed best practices for managing care and saved the federal government $112 million.
At this time, the MCHS Board has not made additional decisions about the Clinic’s future plans.
Options are still being explored and discussions are ongoing. All possibilities for collaborations and facilities are still under consideration and require approval from the MCHS board.
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Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) oversees Marshfield Clinic and other subsidiaries, including Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., MCIS, Inc., Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation, Flambeau Hospital in Park Falls and Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake. Marshfield Clinic, with more than 50 locations in Wisconsin, serves patients through accessible, high quality health care, research and education; with more than 700 physician specialists in 86 specialties and subspecialties and more than 6,500 employees. MCHS is overseen by a Board of Directors with 13 independent members and 11 physicians who comprise the Marshfield Clinic Board.
