VNA Homecare, Upstate HomeCare sign preferred provider agreement

SYRACUSE — Utica–based Upstate HomeCare and VNA Homecare of Syracuse have signed an agreement allowing Upstate to supply the infusion, oxygen, and medical equipment that VNA patients need.

The organizations on Monday announced their “preferred-provider relationship” in a joint news release.

VNA Homecare views the agreement as a chance to “enhance” its delivery of care to patients, M. Kate Rolf, president and CEO, said in the news release.

“Partnering with a larger, more diverse and progressive post-acute care services company enables us to do so. Upstate has an excellent reputation. Their size and outreach can better support the needs of our patients and keep the cost of care more affordable,” Rolf said.

Gregory LoPresti, CEO of Upstate HomeCare, shared the same sentiment.

“Our organization is continually looking for ways to enhance our services and delivery of care for the communities we serve,” LoPresti said in the news release.

The organizations say they’re also working to develop additional services for the community, such as a care-transition program.

Such a program would involve presenting a more detailed, clear assessment of the patient’s clinical status at the time of discharge and “reduce hospital readmissions,” the organizations added.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Utica, Upstate HomeCare provides infusion, specialty medications, respiratory, and medical-equipment services. The organization, which employs nearly 150 people, has a service area that extends to Syracuse, Canandaigua, Rochester, and Buffalo, according to the news release.

VNA Homecare provides home care that ranges from prenatal care to care for young families to rehabilitation, long-term and end-of-life care, the organization said.

VNA includes seven corporate entities and describes itself as “the oldest and one of the largest home-care systems in the Central New York region,” according to the news release.

The organization’s clinical staff includes nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, home-health aides, medical-social workers, a diabetic educator, and a dietician, it said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com