Salinas Valley Health Approves Partnership with Montage Health

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Salinas Valley Health (Salinas Valley Health) Board of Directors voted unanimously this afternoon to approve a partnership with Montage Health (parent company of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and formerly Community Hospital Foundation). If approved by Montage Health, the agreement would result in joint ownership of three entities designed to improve the overall health of the community. Those companies include Aspire Health Plan, Community Health Innovations, and Coastal Management Services.

“We believe this could be an historic partnership that will have a positive impact on the health and wellness of the people living in our region,” said Victor Rey, Board Vice Chair. “This collaboration is designed to provide the community with care that is better coordinated and offer services at a more affordable price.”

Aspire Health Plan offers a Medicare Advantage plan, which offers top rated hospital care, doctors and drug benefits into a single plan. Open enrollment for the plan starts October 15. Community Health Innovations (CHI) supports the shifting focus of healthcare from treating the sick to keeping people healthy. The emphasis is on supporting wellness though coordination of care, disease management, and improving the patient experience. Coastal Management Services provides administrative services including claims processing.

“While the partnership is strategic from a business standpoint, this collaboration is ultimately designed to deliver better care to the community,” said Allen Radner, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Salinas Valley Health. “We are focused on keeping people healthy and that is a vision shared by both organizations.”

The Montage Board is scheduled to vote on the partnership terms October 6. If both Boards approve, the agreement would be effective immediately. The partnership includes a 4.57 million dollar investment by Salinas Valley Health and gives Salinas Valley Health 49% stake in the three companies.