Sentara partnership aims to boost buying power

NORFOLK

Sentara Healthcare has formed an alliance with two other large not-for-profit health systems for purchasing supplies and services, officials announced Thursday.

The three systems aim to reduce costs by using their collective buying power. The newly formed MNS Supply Chain Network LLC represents more than $3 billion in annual purchases.

The other members of the network are MedStar Health, a $4 billion system with nine hospitals and more than 100 other care sites in Maryland and the Washington area; and Novant Health, a $3.5 billion system composed of 13 hospitals and hundreds of other facilities in Virginia and the Carolinas.

Sentara is a $5 billion not-for-profit health system based in Norfolk that operates 10 acute-care hospitals, a health plan, and more than 100 other care sites in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

The network has contracted with national hospital alliance VHA Inc. for support.

It will begin operating immediately and be governed by senior executives from the member organizations.

Amy Jeter, (757) 446-2730, amy.jeter@pilotonline.com