AHN and Heritage Valley Health System are building a healthier future together.
We’re excited to announce that Heritage Valley Health System is now officially part of Allegheny Health Network (AHN).
You’ll continue to receive the care you’ve always relied on from Heritage Valley’s exceptional caregivers. But now it’s backed by AHN’s comprehensive resources and deep expertise. And in the coming months and years, we’ll make substantial investments in technology, programs, and capabilities so your experience is even better and more connected.
We understand you’ll have questions about what this means for you. We’ve answered common questions about the affiliation here. If you have specific questions about your personal care, make sure you talk with your established provider.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Why are AHN and Heritage Valley affiliating?
Highmark Health, AHN, and Heritage Valley Health System are dedicated to providing excellent and affordable healthcare to those who live and work in the broad region served by Heritage Valley. We are ideal partners because we share the same core values, mission, and goals for how to best serve the community’s health and wellness needs, which includes a healthcare model that puts the patient and the community first. Together, we are laser focused on improving the access to the high-quality, compassionate care and services you deserve.
Will the names of Heritage Valley Beaver and Sewickley hospitals change, and, if so, what will they be called?
Yes. Heritage Valley Beaver will now be branded AHN Beaver Hospital — Heritage Valley, and Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital will become AHN Sewickley Hospital — Heritage Valley.
Will AHN reopen or repurpose Heritage Valley’s recently closed hospital in Kennedy Township?
We are evaluating the Kennedy facility and have made no decision at this point regarding its future use.
SEEING YOUR CURRENT PROVIDERS
Will my current Heritage Valley doctors and specialists still be my care providers, or will I need to find new ones within AHN?
This news does not impact your care team. Your doctors, nurses, and specialists will not change.
Will my doctors and nurses still be employed by Heritage Valley?
Yes, for now. Over time, employed Heritage Valley clinicians will transition to become AHN employees as their contracts renew, but they will continue to provide care at Heritage Valley as they do today.
Will anything change about the way I make my appointments with Heritage Valley physicians?
No. You will continue to make appointments like you have previously, until further notice.
CHANGES TO SERVICES
What changes can I expect to see at Heritage Valley hospitals and doctor’s offices in terms of services or facilities?
All Heritage Valley care teams, locations, and specialties will remain unchanged in the near term. However, over time, we expect your experience with our care and access to high-quality services to only become better thanks to the investments that AHN and Heritage Valley will make in programs and facilities. It’s likely that the first change you will notice is the joint branding of AHN and Heritage Valley.
Will Heritage Valley still deliver babies?
Yes, there are no current plans to change AHN Beaver Hospital’s labor and delivery program.
What will happen to the Heritage Valley Beaver Cancer Center that is currently a UPMC location?
There are no changes planned to the Heritage Valley Beaver Cancer Center.
Will I have to go into the city of Pittsburgh now for my care?
When AHN and Highmark invest in a hospital affiliation, we do so with the purpose of improving local access to high-quality clinical programs and keeping care as close to home as possible. We want care to be more accessible for patients, not less.
That said, this affiliation also benefits Heritage Valley patients by creating an even greater connection to the world-class, advanced capabilities of AHN’s medical centers in Pittsburgh and our goal to always guide our patients to the appropriate care site that ensures they have the best possible health outcomes.
Will there be new services or specialized treatments available to me now that Heritage Valley is part of AHN?
When AHN and Highmark invest in a hospital affiliation, we do so with the purpose of improving local access to high-quality clinical programs and keeping care as close to home as possible. We want care to be more accessible for patients, not less. In the coming months, you’ll learn more about primary and specialty care services that are improving at Heritage Valley thanks to the integration with AHN.
Will AHN be adding new services/programs?
Yes. AHN and Heritage Valley have committed to making important, strategic investments over the next decade to improve the health of the community by enhancing clinical services and technologies that drive remarkable patient experiences.
MEDICAL RECORDS AND ONLINE PORTALS
Will the patient portals I currently use for Heritage Valley change, and if so, how will I access my information?
In the near term, the processes and platforms by which you engage with Heritage Valley will not change. Over time, as Heritage Valley becomes integrated with AHN’s advanced patient portal, you will be informed in a timely manner how to access the new system and benefit from it.
Will my past medical records from Heritage Valley automatically transfer to the new AHN system, or do I need to do anything to ensure they are accessible?
No action is required on your part. Heritage Valley patient records will be transferred to AHN systems at the appropriate time.
However, if system changes are made, we will be sure to keep you informed along the way. We recognize and appreciate that the most important relationship is with your doctor, and we’re committed to ensuring that your access is uninterrupted.
What are “Epic” and “MyChart,” and how will their installation benefit me as a patient?
Epic is a company that builds the electronic health record system that unites every AHN site of care, which serves as a central source for care teams to access patient information. As we transition to Epic at Heritage Valley, it will make for a more seamless patient experience and more effective management of patient care. This Epic installation will take time, however, so there is no action required on your part at this time.
Epic’s best-in-class patient-facing portal, called MyChart, is where you will be able to access all your health records in the future.
How will this affiliation affect the cost of my health care services or prescription medications?
All existing contracts remain in place, so the cost of your health care services and prescription medications should not change. However, we always recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to discuss any specific questions.
INSURANCE AND COSTS
Will my insurance still be accepted at Heritage Valley locations now that they are part of AHN?
Yes, all existing insurance plan contracts remain in effect. However, we always recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to determine which doctors and facilities are in network for your specific health plan.
Will the Heritage Valley hospitals, providers, and locations still accept UPMC insurance?
Yes, all existing insurance plan contracts remain in effect. We always recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card, however, to determine which doctors and facilities are in network for your specific health plan.
How will this affiliation affect the cost of my healthcare services or prescription medications?
All existing contracts remain in place, so the cost of your healthcare services and prescription medications should not change. However, we always recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to discuss any specific questions.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Will there be new job opportunities because of this affiliation?
AHN has many opportunities for talented healthcare professionals, and our goal is to help our team continue to recruit and retain the best and the brightest to provide care and services in the community. You can view our current career opportunities and apply for open roles on our careers website: https://careers.highmarkhealth.org/jobs