Bloomington-based Premier Healthcare plans to join Indiana University Health Southern Indiana Physicians this May.
Premier Healthcare President Dr. Wesley Ratliff says they approached IU Health about a year ago with the idea.
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 says. "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."
Matt Bailey, president of IU Health South Central Region and IU Health Bloomington Hospital, is pleased with the new relationship.
"Part of the IU Health strategy is we have a statewide vision for population health, and the best way to have that statewide vision for population health is, how do we integrate with mature practices that share in the same goals and values that we share?" Bailey says. "And certainly Premiere was one of those that came to the top of our list."
"When you look at trying to do population health, you can't do that in just your own backyard," Ratliff agrees. "It needs to be a very extensive regional if not statewide project."
The move is awaiting approval from the Indiana University Health board on Feb. 22. If approved, the transition will take effect on May 1.
What will change for patients and employees?
Premier Healthcare staff will become employees of IU, 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.
Representatives say the majority of patients will see no difference in their insurance coverage and administrators will address any gaps.