Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare officially integrated Columbus (Ga.) Regional Health March 1, making Piedmont a 10-hospital system.
Here are four things to know about the transaction.
1. Officials previously said Columbus Regional would be rebranded Piedmont Columbus Regional as part of the partnership. However, neither health system confirmed the rebranding during their joint announcement March 1.
2. Piedmont Healthcare also previously agreed to assume Columbus Regional's roughly $280 million in debt, and invest $250 million in capital expenditures at Columbus Regional, along with an additional $30 million to $50 million for the installation of a new EHR, the Ledger-Enquirer reported in January.
3. The organizations signed a letter of intent to affiliate in May 2017.
4. Piedmont Healthcare President and CEO Kevin Brown said in a statement the two organizations worked closely during the past few months to finalize an agreement.
"When Columbus Regional began looking for a partner, we were immediately interested because we saw the same dedication to high-quality, patient-centered care that Piedmont prides itself in," he said. "Over the last few months of planning for this integration, we've worked closely with the leadership at Columbus Regional and felt the affirmation that this is a great collaboration – for Piedmont, for Columbus Regional and the communities it serves."