Officials at Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System and Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health Care said merger discussions between the two systems will continue into 2018, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.
Officials said the initial goal was to finalize an agreement to develop a nonprofit joint-operating company by the end of the year. However, officials revised their stance, stating they don't expect to finalize a deal until early next year.
The organizations announced their intent to merge roughly three months ago. Under the letter of intent, the systems agreed to integrate their clinical, medical education and research initiatives, but maintain their individual governing boards and assets.
"We are confident the collaboration between our two organizations is in the best interest of the people of our state as it fosters our common goal of improving the health of North Carolinians," Carolinas HealthCare System said in a statement Tuesday.