Changing healthcare marketplace, Accountable Care Organization implementation Lead Sage Technologies to rapid growth, expanded leadership team

ROCKFORD, Ill. (April 8, 2014) – Experiencing rapid growth as it helps healthcare providers and physicians implement the far-reaching changes resulting from the Affordable Care Act, Sage Technologies has reorganized its leadership team and expanded services to support new clients and the company’s continued growth.

Sage has leveraged its experience as a leader in complex care management and efficient claims processing to become an expert in helping clients transition to a new healthcare marketplace in which provider reimbursements are tied to improved patient outcomes and reductions in the total cost of care. This marketplace need has helped Sage to become a trusted expert in Accountable Care Organization (ACO) implementation and to triple the number of patients whose health it is helping manage during the past six months. The company is also adding 25 employees, expanding its total workforce to 65.

An independent company founded in Rockford in 1999, Sage offers risk management solutions to meet the needs of providers faced with value-based payment and reporting requirements from insurance partners and Medicare. Services include consultation, analytics and reporting, claims processing and robust software packages that help clients quickly integrate and convert existing systems to succeed in the new healthcare marketplace. It commits to helping providers fully implement an ACO structure in 90 days. Its clients include integrated health systems, independent physician networks, physician-hospital organizations and insurers.

“Our leadership team has more than three decades of experience serving the healthcare industry and that underpins Sage Technologies’ independent approach to helping our clients bring order to the rapidly changing healthcare marketplace,” noted Cameron Brown, founder of Sage. “Their expertise allows us to simplify the implementation process and provide personalized solutions that reduce costs, improve quality metrics and manage risk.”

Under Sage’s new structure, Brown will continue as chairman and president, shifting his focus to identifying new business opportunities throughout the United States. Brian Croegaert has been named chief executive officer.

Croegaert, who has been with Sage since its founding, has more than 30 years experience in managed care organizations. His areas of expertise include operational efficiencies, payer systems, clinical integration and the application of medical and information technology to improve the delivery and outcomes of clinical care.

“With access to the correct tools and with proper preparation, physicians and hospitals can benefit from the various changes taking place under the Affordable Care Act,” said Croegaert. “Sage’s local teams of healthcare and insurance experts give provider organizations a single resource for managing the transition.”

Other organizational changes at Sage include:

·       Victoria Gallardo has been named chief operating officer. Gallardo joined Sage in 1998. Before assuming her current position, she served as director of provider and strategic services.

·       Lori Wirsching is the new chief financial officer. Wirsching has been with Sage since 2002 as its director of finance and human resources.

·       EJ Piersol is Sage’s new chief information officer. Piersol has worked for the company since its founding, managing the development of Sage’s software packages, systems and procedures for both internal and client use.

“Our clients tell us they appreciate the fact that Sage gives them the right services and the right technology at the right price, and doesn’t try to up-sell extraneous products or services, and that is helping us grow,” Croegaert observed. 

About Sage

Founded in 1999 in Rockford, Ill., Sage is an independent leader in managed care services, clinical integration, population management, analytics and reporting that help providers improve care delivery and better manage risk. As a proven, trusted resource for providers transitioning to become Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), Sage helps healthcare organizations make other care management and measurement changes required by the Affordable Care Act. Sage clients include integrated health systems, Independent Practice Associations (IPAs), and Physician-Hospital Organizations (PHOs) as well as insurance companies. Sage Technologies is privately held. For more information, visit usesage.com

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