From left to right: Dennis Matheis, President of Optima Health, and Bill Austin, CFO for Riverside Health System
New Agreement Between the Healthcare Providers Increases In-Network Coverage for Patients and Members
Virginia Beach and Newport News, Va. – Demonstrating a joint commitment to ensuring our communities have as many choices as possible for their health care, Optima Health and Riverside Health System have agreed to include Riverside facilities and providers in the Optima Health insurance plan network.
Effective November 15, 2018, all Riverside hospitals, facilities, physician practices and providers are considered in-network for Optima Health members. With this agreement, Riverside joins Sentara, Bon Secours, Chesapeake Regional, and CHKD to offer Optima Health members total coverage of any hospital in Greater Hampton Roads, including on the Eastern Shore, Peninsula and Isle of Wight.
“Optima Health welcomes Riverside providers and facilities to its existing robust network of providers,” said Dennis Matheis, President of Optima Health. “Employers and individuals looking for broader health care networks on the Peninsula, Eastern Shore and Isle of Wight can choose Optima Health with confidence knowing they can access the highest quality providers and facilities closest to home.”
This expansion increases the Optima Health existing in-network provider base of more than 26,000 with more than 600 additional Riverside Medical Group providers, predominantly in the Peninsula, Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck areas. For the Eastern Shore, the local Riverside hospital and providers will now be in-network for Optima Health members.
“We believe this will provide improved access for businesses and employees to the outstanding Riverside network of providers, hospitals and Lifelong Health Services (rehabilitation, home health and hospice). It will also help keep insurance premium costs down in the longer term,” according to Dr. Mike Dacey, Chief Clinical Operations Officer at Riverside Health System.
About Optima Health
Optima Health, based in Virginia, provides health insurance coverage to more than 510,000 members. With more than 30 years of experience, Optima Health offers a suite of commercial products including consumer-directed, employee-owned and employer-sponsored plans, individual health plans, employee assistance programs and plans serving Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. Its provider network features 26,000 providers including specialists, primary care physicians and hospitals across Virginia. Optima Health also offers programs to support members with chronic illnesses, customized wellness programs and integrated clinical and behavioral health services, as well as pharmacy management—all to help members improve their health every day. The company’s goals are to provide better health, be easy to use and offer services that are a great value. To learn more about Optima Health, visit www.optimahealth.com.
About Riverside Health System
A regional leader in providing health care since 1916, Riverside Health System delivers care and services – as a team – by putting patients and residents at the heart of all we do. Riverside offers a variety of health care services and programs in the areas of prevention, primary care, diagnostic care, acute care, aging-related services, rehabilitation, medical education, home care and hospice. The Riverside Health System operates five acute care hospitals, a behavioral health hospital, and a physical rehabilitation hospital in partnership with Select Medical. The Riverside Medical Group has more than 550 providers across a broad spectrum of specialties in over 100 locations. In addition to our health care services, Riverside operates the College of Health Careers and three medical residency programs. The company employs more than 9,400 team members and operates in an 8,000 square mile service area throughout Eastern Virginia.