Marin General looks to thrive under ACA

Thriving in a changed health care landscape under the Affordable Care Act will require Marin General Hospital to become a ubiquitous presence in the lives of its patients, with technology, facilities and administration that supports the ongoing care of California's most elderly -- but also most healthy -- county.

Hospital system's forthcoming $500 million rebuilt hospital campus would be the hub of an organization that engaged patients throughout their lives, said Lee ­­­Domanico, chief executive officer. He shared this vision with about 135 business leaders gathered for the North Bay Business Journal's annual Impact Marin Conference on March 13.

"Marin General is trying to position itself at the sweet spot between healing and health," he said.

Mr. Domanico described those plans as part of a broader overview of health care reform. A number of factors are driving consolidation for hospitals and other stages of care, while also shifting a significant amount of services to the outpatient setting as hospitals across the country seek to curb costly readmission rates, he said.

Marin General itself affiliated with Prima Medical Foundation and has acquired six clinics to secure a viable number of physicians.

More recently, the hospital was instrumental in developing a technology-driven accountable care organization with Novato-based Meritage Medical Network. It is aimed at improving the continuum of care between once-disparate providers.

That network is expected to improve the hospital system's ability to track the health of its patients, leading to better outcomes and, ultimately, better reimbursements under the Affordable Care Act.

Mr. Domanico thanked Marin residents for approving a $395 million general obligation bond in November. It will fund construction of the new hospital.

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