Bloomington-based Premier Healthcare is officially part of Indiana University Health Southern Indiana Physicians, effective Monday.
"Our medical community is excited about the possibilities we have to improve healthcare and the health of our communities together," said Matt Bailey, IU Health President for the South Central Region, in a statement.
The partnership, announced in mid-February, has been in the works for about a year.
Premier Healthcare President Dr. Wesley Ratliff says plans for the new IU Health hospital and education center in Bloomington solidified their interest in merging.
"We've been very much involved in medical education and see that as one thing that sets us apart from other groups," Ratliff told us in February. "I think that was one of the major things that made us look more closely at, perhaps we need to be really very tightly aligned because we want to continue to be part of that education process."
IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians practice in 37 locations in south-central Indiana.
What will change for patients and employees?
Representatives say patients of both healthcare providers will see little change as a result of the integration.
IU Health Marketing and Public Relations Director Jonie Gates says the majority of patients will see no difference in their insurance coverage and administrators will address any gaps.
Premier Healthcare staff will become employees of IU Health, but most medical providers will still provide care at their current locations. Both Bailey and Ratliff say there will be no layoffs in either organization.