Alliance Purchasing

More than 15 years ago, members of the Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance developed the MHHA Service Corporation (MSC) to serve members by offering cost-saving group purchasing programs. The intent was to not only provide providers with great savings on quality products and services but also create a source of non-dues revenue for MHHA which allows the association to offer more programs and services to its members.

Here's where Alliance Purchasing can help -

Alliance Purchasing is a wholly-owned venture of MHHA Service Corporation (MSC). As a group purchasing organization, we serve senior health care providers in Minnesota.

By joining forces, we create value - for you and our industry.

• Economies of scale: higher volume results in purchasing power; allowing Alliance Purchasing to provide the best price for the best value.

• Close partnerships with vendors: Alliance Purchasing will do business with suppliers who care about the senior services provider community and support your work through value-added services, such as continuing education and advocacy efforts.

• Increase efficiency: Alliance Purchasing will streamline paperwork and simplify your day-to-day purchasing activities. In addition, you'll get regular reports on your purchases and savings.

• An investment in our provider community: As your partner, Alliance Purchasing will reinvest earnings on behalf of senior services. That means more learning opportunities, more community outreach, and more lobbying activities.

Q. What is a GPO? What is its purpose?

A. The concept of a GPO is rather simple. It is an organization whose purpose is to negotiate contracts with vendors and make those contracts available to certain segments of the "buying public." The theory is that by representing a large population of buyers, the GPO can negotiate favorable prices and terms while at the same time increasing market share for the vendor.

Q. Are all GPO's alike?

A. No. In fact there are unique aspects to each. They may be different in size, different in product focus; different in geographic emphasis and their ownership structure may be very different.

Q. Does it cost me anything to particpate?

A. No. Alliance Purchasing, unlike some other GPOs, charges no fees to its customers.

Q. How do I know which GPO I should use?

A. As with any purchasing decision - ask questions and don't always believe the answer. Do your own research. Compare GPO's. Ask for price comparisons. Ask about their organization. Who owns them? With whom are they affiliated? Where do their profits go?

Bigger is not always better. The lowest price does not always mean the lowest overall cost.

Q. Why should I consider Alliance Purchasing as my GPO?

A. We believe that Alliance Purchasing is unique. We believe we have competitive prices and invite you to compare. In fact, the more of you that use Alliance Purchasing the better our pricing will become. We are owned by Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance. We primarily serve non-profit nursing homes, senior housing members, assisted living programs and related entities. This is our target market. Our mission is to provide lower prices to this market and to generate revenues for MHHA and its members. We charge no fees and ask only that you designate Alliance Purchasing as your GPO by completing our Participation Agreement.

Q. Can I participate in the Alliance Purchasing GPO while belonging to another GPO?

A. Yes. If you currently belong to another GPO, you may also participate in the Alliance Purchasing GPO by selectively choosing from the list of Alliance Purchasing vendors who may not be available through your existing GPO and sign individual agreements for those vendors only.

Q. How can I find out more?

A. Please call us at Alliance Purchasing (651) 999-4965 or 1-877-770-7317 and ask for Patti O'Brien.

2008 MHHA Service Corporation Board of Directors

2008 Alliance Purchasing Board of Governors

MHHA thanks 2008 Annual Sponsor Alliance Purchasing and our other sponsors for their support and partnership.