A Medical Device Daily

McKesson Technology Solutions (Alpharetta, Georgia) reported that RelayHealth, its connectivity services business, has acquired HTP (Columbus, Ohio), a provider of revenue cycle management technology.

According to the company, HTP provides connectivity solutions that address the growing burden of uncompensated healthcare, estimated to be $31.2 billion in 2006. Designed to connect providers, health plans and financial institutions, HTP's solutions promote timely reimbursement for patient services, ranging from verification of insurance eligibility to maintaining payment plans that aid in the collection of self-pay balances, McKesson said.

"The healthcare revenue cycle market model is shifting from collecting payments after the visit to a more retail-oriented approach, beginning before the patient actually arrives to receive care," said Pamela Pure, president, McKesson Technology Solutions. "We can now provide the tools and financial information needed to support patients and their care providers as they plan, receive and manage the financing of their care. Providers are pleased with HTP's unique subscription approach that enables them to take full advantage of financial services as often as necessary without fear of exceeding their operational budgets."

HTP's RevRunner suite of revenue cycle solutions is intended to help healthcare organizations find coverage or financial assistance for patients needing assistance and ensure compensation is received for patients with insurance. The acquisition of HTP also positions RelayHealth to support emerging healthcare information exchange networks with HTP's MedRunner technology, which provides the platform and infrastructure for the Utah Health Information Network. HTP is also driving transaction processing for Ohio Medicaid, McKesson noted.

"HTP's mission has been to deliver efficient and secure automation of financial, clinical and administrative processes," said Ray Shealy, president/CEO of HTP. "Joining forces with RelayHealth enables us to leverage our technologies to make a positive impact on healthcare operations."

RelayHealth's portfolio of financial clearance and settlement services includes ePREMIS claims management and the Patient Compass online business office.

In other dealmaking activity, ResCare (Louisville, Kentucky), a provider of residential, training, educational and support services for people with disabilities and special needs, said it has acquired Select Health Care Services (Baytown, Texas), a home healthcare agency serving 30 counties in the Houston area. Select Health Care offers programs for adult and pediatric patients that include companion care, skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Its revenues are primarily through Medicaid waiver payments and licensed, Medicare-certified, personal assistant services with about 5% coming from private duty home health services. Annual revenue is estimated to be $7 million.