Two healthcare systems in the Bronx consider joining forces

Two Bronx healthcare systems have signed a letter of intent to explore a partnership in the latest sign of consolidation among New York City hospitals.

Montefiore Health System and SBH Health System, the operator of St. Barnabas Hospital, said the move would connect SBH to higher levels of specialty care for cancer, cardiology and transplant services.

New York’s community hospitals have looked to link up with the metro area’s larger academic medical centers, as insurers aim to tie more of their payments to the quality of care rather than the quantity of tests and procedures performed. Larger systems, including Montefiore, are equipped with the IT infrastructure required to document and report their patients’ outcomes in order to receive payment from insurers.

“With this letter of intent, we can build on the strong foundation already in place to improve our community’s health outcomes,” Montefiore CEO Dr. Steven Safyer said in a statement.