National Healthcare Payer Networks, LLC Announces Expanded Strategic Initiative with Essent Healthcare to Provide Full Managed Care Services

WAYNE, Pa., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- National Healthcare Payer Networks, LLC ("NHPN") Wayne, Pennsylvania and Essent Healthcare with headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee announced today a new strategic initiative for NHPN to provide out-partnering managed care services to Essent facilities.

"Our long term growth and strategic partnership with Essent Healthcare is really the recognition of the outstanding healthcare expertise and a dedicated, results-oriented team. We are able to deliver significant increases in revenue, reductions in AR days and operational efficiencies for all of our clients say Ian Michel, President and COO of NHPN.

Currently NHPN solution performs managed care contract consulting, claims negotiations and collections for all non-primary, non-contracted payers. Under the terms of the contract, NHPN will assume additional responsibility for negotiations, modeling and compliance for the majority of Essent's managed care plans and accounts.

"Providers today need to adapt too many forces that drive change management and NHPN is an organization that specializes in managed care and reimbursement imperatives with providers knowing that reengineering creates significant opportunities for providers. For that reason, we are pleased to expand our relationships with NHPN to include out-partnering all our managed care initiatives. Their innovative solution sets and expertise in the healthcare industry has been indispensable and the ideal choice for our corporate culture," said Mr. Steven L. Wylie, Vice President Financial Operations for Essent.

ABOUT NHPN

NHPN provides innovative managed care and cash collections services to the hospital industry. Founded by former healthcare and insurance executives, NHPN develops custom programs that change the internal revenue cycle process to adaptive work-flows which allow the providers to increase revenue and lower administrative costs. More information can be found on their web site, www.nhpn.net or by calling 610-725-0785.

ABOUT ESSENT HEALTH CARE

Essent Healthcare was founded in 1999 with the mission of acquiring community hospitals and providing them with the financial resources and the expertise they need to grow. Essent hospitals include Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, Mass., Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Conn., Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Mass., and Paris Regional Medical Center in Paris, Texas. More information about Essent Healthcare is available at www.essenthealthcare.com.

     Contact:
     NHPN: Ian Michel, Chief Operating Officer,
     610-725-0785 or imichel@nhpn.net

     Essent Healthcare: Steven L. Wylie, Vice President Financial Operations,
     (615) 312-5107 or Steve.Wylie@essenthealthcare.com