Salem Health, in Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley, and Accretive Health, Inc. (NYSE: AH) today announced a multi-year strategic relationship to improve revenue cycle operations at Salem Health. This relationship will enable Salem Health to leverage Accretive Health’s distinctive operating model, including its rigorous processes and proprietary technology, to improve revenue yield and enhance patient satisfaction across Salem Health’s network of facilities. By partnering with one of the largest of Oregon's 58 acute care hospitals, the relationship also broadens Accretive Health’s strategy and reach in the Pacific Northwest.

“At Salem Health, we are committed to being both good financial stewards and providing a safe and excellent experience for every one of our patients,” said Norm Gruber, Salem Health’s president and chief executive officer. “Partnering with Accretive Health will assist with those commitments and help us fulfill our mission to improve the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve.”

The strategic relationship will encompass the entire span of the revenue cycle, including the critical infrastructure necessary to provide effective and efficient patient access, health information management and patient financial services operations.

“Entering this relationship is the latest of our ongoing efforts to improve revenue yield and provide cost savings that we can reinvest in our patient care,” added Aaron Crane, Salem Health’s chief financial and strategy officer and president-elect of the Oregon Chapter of HFMA. “Technology, best-practice protocols, and lean-process improvements are vital elements in every step of revenue cycle management, from determining patient insurance eligibility to properly coding claims. We are confident that Accretive Health brings the solutions that translate into results, based on their achievements with health systems across the country.”

“Salem Health has a vision of providing its patient population with an ‘Exceptional Experience Every Time,’” said Mary Tolan, founder and chief executive officer of Accretive Health. “We are proud to align our organization with a health care network that is so deeply invested in patient satisfaction. As we collaborate with Salem Health on improving revenue cycle operations, we are also committed to supporting the Salem team in fulfilling its mission and living its vision by providing our best people, innovative processes and proprietary technology.”

About Salem Health

Salem Health is comprised of Salem Hospital, West Valley Hospital, Willamette Health Partners and other affiliated health care organizations offering exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. For more information, visit www.salemhealth.org and facebook.com/salemhealth; Twitter: @salemhealth; and youtube.com/salemhealth.

About Accretive Health

At Accretive Health, our mission is to help our healthcare clients strengthen their financial stability and deliver better care at a more affordable cost to the communities they serve (increasing healthcare access to all). For more information, visit www.accretivehealth.com.