Introduction
Choosing the right healthcare system is an important decision for individuals and families. Patients often look for hospitals that provide a wide range of medical services, experienced physicians, convenient locations, and access to specialized care. Main It is one of the major nonprofit health systems serving the Philadelphia region and surrounding communities.
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health has grown into an extensive healthcare network that includes hospitals, outpatient centers, physician practices, rehabilitation services, behavioral health resources, home care, hospice, and medical research. Its system includes four acute-care hospitals and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, along with numerous outpatient and specialty-care locations.
This guide explores what Main It is, the hospitals and services it offers, how patients can schedule appointments, and what makes its healthcare network useful for people seeking medical care in the Philadelphia region.
What Is Main Line Health?
Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving Philadelphia and its western suburbs. The organization provides care through hospitals, health centers, physician practices, outpatient facilities, rehabilitation services, home healthcare, hospice, behavioral health programs, and other healthcare resources.
The system brings together primary care providers and specialists so patients can access different levels of care within one healthcare network.
Main Line Health currently reports five hospitals, more than 2,100 physicians and advanced practice providers, and more than 14,000 employees. Its network also includes multiple health centers and more than 150 medical practice locations.
Main Line Health Hospitals
Main Line Health’s hospital network includes four major acute-care hospitals and a specialized rehabilitation hospital.
Lankenau Medical Center
Lankenau Medical Center is located in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. It provides hospital-based medical and surgical care along with a broad range of specialty services.
The facility also has connections with academic medicine and research through the broader Main Line Health system.
Bryn Mawr Hospital
Bryn Mawr Hospital is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It provides a variety of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services and is one of the core acute-care hospitals within Main Line Health.
The hospital also provides pediatric services through Main Line Health’s relationship with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for selected services.
Paoli Hospital
Paoli Hospital is located in Paoli, Pennsylvania. It is another major acute-care hospital in the Main Line Health system and provides medical, surgical, emergency, and specialty services.
Riddle Hospital
Riddle Hospital is located in Media, Pennsylvania. The hospital provides acute-care services and is part of Main Line Health’s network of hospitals serving communities west of Philadelphia.
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in Malvern focuses on rehabilitation medicine. It provides specialized rehabilitation services for patients who need support recovering from illness, injury, surgery, or neurological and physical conditions.
Main Line Health Services
One of the major advantages of Main It is the variety of services available across its network.
Depending on the location, patients can access services such as:
- Primary care
- Specialty care
- Emergency medicine
- Surgery
- Women’s health
- Pediatric care
- Cancer care
- Heart and vascular services
- Neurology and neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation
- Mental and behavioral health
- Laboratory testing
- Imaging
- Home healthcare
- Hospice care
- Addiction treatment
Not every service is available at every location, so patients should verify the specific facility and department before scheduling an appointment.
Primary Care at Main Line Health
Primary care is often the starting point for managing general health.
Main It provides primary care through its physician network and outpatient locations. Primary care professionals can help with routine checkups, preventive care, common illnesses, chronic disease management, vaccinations, and referrals to specialists when necessary.
Having a primary care provider can also make it easier to maintain a consistent medical history and coordinate care when additional specialists are needed.
Specialty Care
Main Line Health has a large network of physicians and specialists. Its healthcare system includes specialists working in areas such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, women’s health, genetics, gastroenterology, and many other medical fields.
The system also works with outside medical organizations for selected specialty services. For example, Main It has an affiliation with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for selected pediatric services and collaborates with Jefferson Health for specialized neurosurgical and neurointerventional care.
Emergency and Urgent Care
When someone has a serious or potentially life-threatening medical problem, emergency medicine is an important part of the healthcare system.
Main Line Health operates emergency departments at its acute-care hospitals. Its website also provides information about urgent-care options for conditions that require prompt attention but may not require an emergency department.
Patients should understand the difference between urgent and emergency care. Severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, major bleeding, loss of consciousness, or other life-threatening symptoms require emergency medical attention.
For emergencies, Main It advises patients to call 911.
Main Line Health Laboratory Services
Laboratory testing is another important part of Main Line Health’s outpatient network.
Patients can access routine tests such as blood and urine testing, along with other laboratory services. Main It says many laboratory locations accept walk-ins, while certain tests require advance scheduling.
Laboratory locations are available at several hospitals and health centers, including Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital, Riddle Hospital, and multiple Main Line Health Centers.
Imaging Services
Medical imaging can help physicians evaluate injuries, illnesses, and other health concerns.
Main It offers scheduling for imaging services including:
- Mammograms
- Ultrasounds
- X-rays
- DEXA scans
- Other diagnostic imaging services
Patients can schedule certain imaging appointments online or contact the appropriate department.
Women’s Health
Women’s healthcare is another important part of Main Line Health’s services.
Depending on the location, patients can access obstetrics, gynecology, maternity care, breast health, prenatal services, genetics, and other women’s health programs.
Main It also provides prenatal genetics and other genetics services at several hospitals and outpatient locations.
Cancer Care
Cancer care often requires a team-based approach involving diagnosis, surgery, medical treatment, radiation, imaging, genetics, and ongoing monitoring.
Main It provides cancer-related services through its hospitals and specialty centers. Genetics and risk assessment services are also available for certain patients who may benefit from cancer-risk evaluation.
Patients with a new diagnosis or suspected cancer should work closely with their healthcare team to determine which diagnostic and treatment services are appropriate.
Heart and Vascular Care
Heart disease can require preventive care, diagnostic testing, medication management, procedures, and long-term follow-up.
Main It offers cardiovascular services across its healthcare network. Cardiac-related genetics services and other specialized cardiovascular care are available at selected Main Line Health locations.
The appropriate service depends on the patient’s symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, and medical history.
Neurological Care
Neurological conditions can range from headaches and movement disorders to stroke and complex neurological diseases.
Main It provides neurological services and has partnerships that support advanced neurological care. The organization states that Jefferson Health neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists provide 24/7 specialized care, including neurointervention and stroke care.
Rapid evaluation is particularly important when someone develops symptoms that could indicate a stroke.
Rehabilitation Services
Recovery does not always end when a patient leaves the hospital.
Some people require physical, occupational, speech, or other rehabilitation services after an injury, surgery, stroke, neurological condition, or serious illness.
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is part of Main Line Health and focuses on rehabilitation medicine. Additional outpatient rehabilitation locations are also available within the system.
Mental and Behavioral Health
Mental health is an important component of comprehensive healthcare.
Main It offers mental and behavioral health resources and works with Sheppard Pratt to provide behavioral health support. The system also includes Mirmont Treatment Center, which provides drug and alcohol recovery services.
Patients can contact Main It for information about available mental and behavioral health services and scheduling.
HomeCare and Hospice
Healthcare needs can continue after a patient returns home.
Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice provides services that can include skilled home healthcare, hospice care, and home infusion services. These programs can help patients receive appropriate support outside the hospital setting.
Home-based care can be particularly valuable for patients who have difficulty traveling to medical facilities or require ongoing support.
How to Schedule an Appointment With Main Line Health
Main It provides several ways for patients to schedule appointments.
Patients can schedule certain primary-care and specialty appointments online. Existing patients can also use MyChart for eligible appointments and healthcare-related services.
The organization provides separate scheduling options for primary care, specialty care, urgent care, imaging, laboratory services, outpatient rehabilitation, and behavioral health.
For help with referrals or appointments, Main Line Health lists its Access Center at 1-866-CALL-MLH (1-866-225-5654).
Main Line Health Patient Portal
MyChart provides eligible Main Line Health patients with a digital way to interact with their healthcare information.
Depending on the patient’s account and available services, a patient portal can make it easier to manage appointments and communicate with healthcare providers.
Patients who already receive primary or specialty care through participating Main Line Health clinicians can use MyChart for additional appointment options.
Main Line Health Locations
Main It operates healthcare facilities throughout the Philadelphia region and its surrounding communities.
Some of its outpatient locations include:
- Broomall
- Collegeville
- Concordville
- Devon
- Exton
- King of Prussia
- Newtown Square
The system’s hospitals are located in Wynnewood, Bryn Mawr, Paoli, Media, and Malvern.
Because services vary by location, patients should check the specific location before visiting.
Main Line Health and Medical Research
Healthcare systems can contribute to medical progress through research as well as patient care.
Main Line Health includes the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization within the system. The organization supports research alongside its broader healthcare mission.
Research can contribute to better understanding of diseases, new approaches to treatment, and improvements in patient care.
Main Line Health Price Transparency
Healthcare costs can be difficult to predict, so understanding available pricing information can be useful before receiving care.
Main It provides price-transparency resources, including estimates for certain shoppable services. The organization explains that its payment estimator can provide an estimated out-of-pocket cost for selected services, although it does not cover every service. Patients are also advised to contact their insurance provider for the most accurate information about personal out-of-pocket costs.
Patients should verify insurance coverage, deductibles, copayments, and other potential charges before receiving non-emergency care whenever possible.
Why Choose Main Line Health?
There are several reasons patients may consider Main Line Health.
Broad Healthcare Network
Patients can access hospitals, outpatient centers, physician practices, rehabilitation services, laboratory testing, imaging, and other services within one large network.
Multiple Locations
Its facilities are spread across Philadelphia and nearby suburbs, which can make accessing care more convenient for many residents.
Specialty Services
The system provides access to numerous medical specialties and collaborates with external healthcare organizations for selected specialized services.
Continuity of Care
A broad healthcare network can make communication and referrals between primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and outpatient services easier.
Nonprofit Healthcare Mission
Main Line Health operates as a not-for-profit health system and describes its mission around delivering advanced medicine, prevention, disease management, and healthcare education.
Final Thoughts
Main Line Health is a comprehensive nonprofit healthcare system serving the Philadelphia region and surrounding communities. Its network includes major acute-care hospitals, rehabilitation services, outpatient health centers, physician practices, laboratory and imaging services, behavioral health programs, home healthcare, hospice, and medical research.
For patients, the biggest advantage may be the breadth of services available across a connected healthcare network. From primary care and routine laboratory testing to specialized hospital treatment and rehabilitation, Main Line Health offers many levels of care.
However, patients should always choose services based on their individual medical needs and confirm that the appropriate provider and facility are available for their condition. For emergencies, immediate emergency medical care should take priority over routine appointment scheduling.
FAQs About Main Line Health
1. What is Main Line Health?
Main Line Health is a nonprofit healthcare system serving the Philadelphia region and surrounding communities. It includes hospitals, health centers, physician practices, rehabilitation services, behavioral health programs, home care, and other healthcare resources.
2. How many hospitals does Main Line Health have?
Main Line Health currently includes five hospitals: Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital, Riddle Hospital, and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.
3. Where is Main Line Health located?
Main It facilities are located throughout Philadelphia and its western suburbs, including Wynnewood, Bryn Mawr, Paoli, Media, Malvern, Broomall, Collegeville, Devon, Exton, King of Prussia, and Newtown Square.
4. Does Main Line Health offer primary care?
Yes. Main Line Health provides primary care through its physician network and healthcare locations.
5. Does Main Line Health offer urgent care?
Yes. Main Line Health provides urgent-care options and allows patients to find walk-in care or join an urgent-care waitlist through its website.
6. Does Main Line Health have a patient portal?
Yes. Eligible patients can use MyChart to access certain healthcare services and manage appointments.
7. Does Main Line Health offer laboratory testing?
Yes. Main It provides laboratory and pathology services at hospitals and several outpatient locations. Many routine tests can be handled through walk-in services, while some tests require appointments.
8. Does Main Line Health provide cancer care?
Yes. Cancer-related services are available within the Main Line Health network, including cancer genetics and other specialty services at selected locations.
9. Does Main Line Health offer rehabilitation?
Yes. Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is part of Main Line Health and specializes in rehabilitation medicine. The system also has outpatient rehabilitation services.
10. How can I contact Main Line Health?
Patients can contact the Main Line Health Access Center at 1-866-CALL-MLH (1-866-225-5654) for assistance with appointments and referrals. Individual hospitals and departments also have their own contact information.
