Geisinger members get access to General

WILKES-BARRE — Geisinger Health Plan members now have another option for treatment in a hospital.

Commonwealth Health and Geisinger Health Plan announced on Monday that they reached an agreement giving GHP members access to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and the hospital’s network of outpatient sites throughout the region.

As of March 1, all Wilkes-Barre General facilities were considered in-network providers for GHP members.

The agreement covers all lines of business including: Geisinger Health Plan HMO for businesses, Geisinger Choice PPO for businesses and individuals, Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, GHP Family Medical Assistance plan, GHP Kids Children’s Health Insurance Plan and Geisinger Health Options for self-funded employers.

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital CEO Cornelio Catena said the agreement will significantly benefit consumers.

“Individuals and families with GHP insurance now have access to a wider array of advanced health services and skilled physicians. Having more options when seeking care is a definite advantage for area residents,” Catena said in a joint statement with GHP.

Dr. Duane E. Davis, president and CEO for GHP, said the company’s more than 46,000 members in Luzerne County now have additional choices for quality care.

“We are committed to providing our members with access to the best providers for their needs,” Davis said.

The agreement also means that GHP is now accepted at all Commonwealth Health facilities.

In addition to Wilkes-Barre General, Commonwealth Health also owns Berwick Hospital Center; First Hospital, Kingston; Mid-Valley Hospital, Peckville; Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton; Regional Hospital of Scranton; Special Care Hospital, Nanticoke; and Tyler memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock.

Also affiliated are the physicians of InterMountain Medical Group and Physicians Health Alliance as well as five home health and hospice agencies: Commonwealth Home Health and Hospice of Berwick, Commonwealth Home Health of Moses Taylor, Commonwealth Home Health and Hospice of Scranton, Commonwealth Home Health of Tyler and Commonwealth Home Health and Hospice of Wilkes-Barre.

Jim McGuire, Commonwealth Health director of communications, said Wilkes-Barre General was the only Commonwealth Health facility that was not previously in Geisinger Health Plan’s provider network.

McGuire couldn’t say with certainty what kind of financial impact the organization anticipates because of the potential for increased consumer use of the hospital.