LOS ANGELES and SAN DIEGO, July 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles-based SynerMed, Inc., the largest Medicaid managed service organization (MSO) in the state of California, today announced that two San Diego-based Independent Physicians Associations (IPAs), Mid County Physicians Medical Group and Multicultural Primary Care Medical Group, have renewed their respective management services contracts with SynerMed for five more years.
Since originally partnering with SynerMed in November 2003, both Mid County Physicians Medical Group and Multicultural Primary Care Medical Group have recorded consecutive, profitable fiscal years; and both IPAs have increased their respective enrollments in the highly competitive San Diego health care market.
"Once we partnered with SynerMed in 2003, we realized significant improvements almost immediately," said Rodney G. Hood, M.D., president of Multicultural Primary Care Medical Group. "We have experienced growth in physician and patient members, due directly to the improved quality of service our organization was able to provide after implementing SynerMed's management services solutions, which were tailored to our specific needs."
According to the terms of the new agreements, SynerMed will continue to provide a host of health care management services for the IPAs -- including financial management, health plan outreach, regulation compliance, referral processing and claims processing. In addition, SynerMed will continue to employ a full suite of Web-based products, accessible via its provider Web portal, www.synermedconnect.com. Using this online function, providers are able to view eligibility reports, submit and process authorizations, and submit claims and encounter data.
Over the next five years, both Mid County Physicians Medical Group and Multicultural Primary Care Medical Group are planning to work closely with SynerMed to continue their positive gains and look for opportunities through technology and services to strengthen their competitive positions in the San Diego market.
Claims Processing Solutions
A recent industry-wide study conducted by PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., reported that 7 percent of all claims submitted were never paid and 20 percent of all claims submitted are delayed or denied. This is due to a variety of related steps in the process including (but not limited to) payer contract negotiations, charge capture and failure to adhere to necessary policies and procedures. The added expenses contribute to the nation's burgeoning health care costs -- a cost that ultimately lands on providers and patients. According to the survey results, 90 percent of hospital executives and 86 percent of insurance executives said that making the claims remittance process more efficient industry-wide would help slow the rising cost of health care.
Mid County Physicians and Multicultural Primary groups opted to extend their agreement with SynerMed due to its ever-evolving solutions to ensure quick, cost-effective, accurate claims processing for its members.
"With the incidence of medical claims denials climbing, it's now more important than ever to ensure accuracy throughout the claims process. We believe working with SynerMed is integral to the success of this process," said Seymour Mallis, M.D. medical director of Mid County Physicians Medical Group. He added that he was impressed with SynerMed's vast service offering and the company's state-of-the-art technology, financial efficiency and dedication to the growth of Mid County's medical practices.
SynerMed currently manages more than 250,000 affiliated members through its customers -- which consist of independent practice associations (IPAs), medical groups, community clinics, third-party administrators (TPAs), health plans and hospitals throughout the country -- making the company the largest MSO specializing in state-sponsored programs in California.
"We are pleased to continue our partnership with Mid County Physicians and Multicultural Primary Medical Groups over the next five years," said James Mason, president and chief operating officer of SynerMed. "We understand the issues inherent before, during and after claims submission and are committed to providing services to improve the current denial rate for IPAs and to increase the quality of care for the patient population in San Diego and throughout the country."
In addition to provider-group management, SynerMed provides hospital capitation management services, health plan outsourcing services, physician billing and connectivity services and has managed care assets in the state of California and throughout the U.S.
About Multicultural Primary Medical Group
Based in San Diego, Calif., MultiCultural Primary Physician Medical Group is led by Rodney G. Hood, M.D. It is a 50-physician group that contracts with nine health plans.
About Mid County Physicians Medical Group
Directed by Seymour Mallis, M.D., Mid County Physicians Medical Group is a 10-physician Independent Physicians Associations (IPA), which has 5,500 patients, based in San Diego, Calif.
About SynerMed, Inc.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., SynerMed, Inc. is a leading managed services organization (MSO) and business process outsourcer (BPO) that offers the most comprehensive, creative solutions for health care organizations and employers today. The company has relationships with all major Medicaid, commercial and senior health plans; and manages over $120 million a year in health care benefits for more than 250,000 members through its customers -- which consist of IPAs, medical groups, community clinics, third-party administrators (TPAs), health plans and hospitals. Through the company's state-of-the-art products and services offering, SynerMed is committed to partnering with its customers to provide cost-effective, personalized solutions for their highly-specific needs so they can operate more efficiently and better care for their members. For more information, visit www.isynermed.com.
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