Valleywise Health Foundation raises funds to meet critical patient and program needs at Arizona’s public teaching hospital. Their primary initiatives include burn survivorship care support, innovative behavioral health programs, and training the healthcare providers of tomorrow.
Valleywise Health has undertaken an initiative to combat mental illness stigma. Avondale-based First Episode Center now emphasizes this effort as part of their services.
340B Drug Pricing Program
Valleywise Health relies heavily on the 340B program as a public safety-net health system to access pharmaceuticals at discounted prices, helping us run FQHCs smoothly while offering financial assistance programs for patients in need. Without this support from industry and pharmaceutical manufacturers, our ability to serve uninsured and underserved individuals would be severely impaired.
The 340B Drug Pricing Program allows hospitals to stretch limited federal resources by offering reduced outpatient prescription drug prices for certain low-income patients. Under this program, manufacturers offer discounts to approved 340B facilities such as rural referral centers, cancer hospitals, community hospitals, and non-profit hospitals that also benefit from wholesaler discounts; savings generated from this 340B discount program may then be re-invested into expanding healthcare services such as free clinics, medication management programs or mental health services for low-income patients.
To participate in the 340B Program, an institution must become a Covered Entity (CE), comply with all applicable 340B regulations, and assign each 340B child site (outpatient facilities and clinics) a unique identifier number. Furthermore, CEs must ensure that 340B medications are being distributed appropriately and reach eligible patients rather than diverted towards higher-paying commercial or Medicare Advantage plans.
Diversion of 340B discounted drugs is an alarming issue threatening its integrity. Hospitals and providers utilizing these discounts for low-income patients report losing millions yearly due to drug manufacturers misappropriating values from this program. As a response, HRSA is taking measures to safeguard 340B’s integrity by conducting targeted audits on covered entities and creating specific guidance regarding good stewardship practices for this benefit program.
The integrity of this program has never been more essential, with drug costs becoming one of the fastest-rising expenses for hospitals. These out-of-control costs have forced some hospitals to make tough choices, threatening patient care access.
Community Health Centers
Valleywise Health operates regional community health centers throughout Maricopa County of Phoenix, Arizona, and was recently rebranded from Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS). Offering exceptional care without exception to every patient every time, this health system boasts a 325-bed medical center, the nation’s second-largest HIV specialty clinic, and multiple Federally Qualified Health Centers as well as an obstetrics and women’s care clinic – as well as having its refugee center, primary pediatric behavioral healthcare services as well as family learning centers to name but just some highlights of what’s possible within Maricopa County’s borders.
Creighton University- Arizona Health Education Alliance. Additionally, Creighton maintains a comprehensive research and development program where clinical and scientific discoveries help advance patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
Valleywise Cancer Services provides individuals needing specialized cancer services with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery services, along with full-time oncology nurse navigator teams that assist in managing treatments and navigating all facets of care.
Valleywise stands apart from many oncology programs by not charging those without insurance for oncology services. This is possible thanks to the 340B program, which enables Valleywise Health System to purchase medications at discounted prices and then pass these savings through financial assistance programs to its patients.
Valleys Health’s participation in the 340B program has enabled it to increase the services it can provide to uninsured and underserved patients, furthering its mission of compassionate healthcare to all regardless of ability to pay. Without it, Valleywise would likely have had to reduce services or make difficult choices that could negatively impact its community.
As part of its program, Valleywise Health has recently unveiled a brand-new community health center in Maryvale. This facility will serve primarily women and children – particularly refugees – with special consideration given to helping refugees communicate medical information more efficiently in a language familiar to them. Valleywise has hired an impressive team of cultural health navigators and interpreters who can translate complex medical terms into something refugees understand.
Behavioral Health Services
When dealing with mental health issues, you want a place where you feel safe and supported so you can heal. Valleywise Behavioral Health Center in Mesa can offer you the best assistance and treatment in an inviting, comforting setting.
Valleywise Behavioral Health Center provides outpatient and inpatient programs tailored to your needs, from outpatient therapy sessions to inpatient services. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder – their staff are there for support! Together, you will devise an individualized treatment plan to help you reach your recovery goals more quickly.
Valleywise Health was established in 1952 as a community-based system of world-class care directly funded by Maricopa County residents through Proposition 480. Valleywise operates a 325-bed medical center, the second largest burn center in the US, Level 1 adult trauma care, multiple behavioral health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and an HIV specialty clinic – not to mention training the next generation of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals through its partnership with Creighton University- Arizona Health Education Alliance.
Valleywise Hospital provides healthcare to a disproportionate share of low-income and uninsured residents in Maricopa County. Most of its patients are covered by Medicaid or Medicare – accounting for 85.7% of visits, 65% of discharges, and 41.4% of net patient revenue annually. Valleywise provides over $44 Million worth of uncompensated care annually.
Olson believes the pendulum has swung too far toward deinstitutionalizing people with SMI, leading to some who require long-term inpatient care waiting more than a year to be transferred into ASH.
She and other Valleywise staff are working to address this problem by being highly selective when suggesting candidates to attend the Arizona School of the Blind (ASH). Furthermore, they are collaborating with St. Mary’s Food Bank and Arizona Women’s Board to implement a Food Pharmacy program in their community.
This program is part of an initiative to give patients a choice in how they receive care. The primary goal is to improve access in economically disadvantaged communities while strengthening partnerships with local organizations. It will be introduced gradually over three years.
Oncology & Radiology
Valleys Health’s radiation oncology specialists prioritize patient safety and comfort as the top priorities in an atmosphere that’s safe and welcoming. Patients are encouraged to ask questions, participate in treatment decisions, and ask their families any pertinent queries before visiting our center. A class is explicitly offered to orient newcomers before their first appointment with us.
Valleywise Health (formerly Maricopa Integrated Health System) was founded in 1877, operating regional health centers across Maricopa County’s rapid expansion. Their innovative healthcare model features a 325-bed medical center; Arizona’s only Level I trauma centers for adults and children; the premier regional burn center serving all of Southwest; an HIV care center; 12 neighborhood family health centers; two behavioral health clinics; as well as refugee women’s clinic.
Valleywise Health is dedicated to its community, serving low-income patients who lack insurance and those in need through its community food pharmacy program. Not only is Valleywise committed to delivering top-quality care with compassion, but they’re also helping those without access to food by providing food donations directly.
Valleywise Health has received unprecedented support from voters, the local community, and private foundations to transform its services through an unparalleled investment in facilities, equipment, programs, and people. Proposition 480, passed by Maricopa County voters in 2014, helped kick-start this initiative.
One of the many planned improvements will be the Roosevelt campus, home to an advanced cancer care facility. This 678,000-square-foot tower replacement features 233 patient rooms, ten operating rooms, two interventional radiology areas, rooftop and ground-level helipads, and numerous other amenities.
The hospital will offer stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a non-invasive technique for treating tumors in the head and spine, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), used to treat large tumors throughout the body. Both treatments utilize image-guided radiation technology that precisely aligns patients before treatment based on each patient’s internal anatomy.
The project team is taking steps to increase energy efficiency at both Roosevelt campuses. Studies revealed that an energy-saving CUP could be built within an existing warehouse at Roosevelt, saving approximately $500,000 per year on energy costs. Furthermore, team members are exploring methods to increase air conditioning and heating system efficiencies at existing hospitals.
