Nineteen critical access hospitals in Nebraska are partnering to launch the Nebraska High Value Network.
Through the network, the hospitals will collaborate on business and clinical initiatives to improve care, control costs and support value-based care arrangements with payers, according to a June 5 news release.
“Working together in the Nebraska High Value Network will enable our member hospitals to gain the advantages of scale while remaining independent,” said Tyler Toline, CEO of West Point, Neb.-based Franciscan Healthcare and chairman of the NHVN board. “As independent hospitals, we can continue to focus on the unique needs of the communities we serve. By coming together, we can make investments in areas such as population health management that are beyond the reach of individual hospitals.”
A clinically integrated network will serve as the cornerstone of the NHVN. A clinical integration committee will be established, with a physician from each hospital, to lead efforts to enhance quality and care coordination and reduce administrative burdens.
The network is in discussion with other rural hospitals in the state interested in joining as members, according to the release.
The daily operations of NHVN will be managed by Cibolo Health, a consultancy that specializes in building high-value rural health collaboratives. Cibolo also manages clinically integrated networks for rural hospitals in North Dakota (launched in 2023), Minnesota (2024), Ohio (2025) and Montana (2024)
