Leaders from UW Health and UnityPoint – Meriter in Madison, Wis., have signed letters of intent to explore a joint operating agreement that would deepen their existing clinical collaboration and combine their health insurance businesses.
The organizations have a long history of collaboration, including through a shared mother-baby care program. Under the proposed agreement, UW Health and UnityPoint – Meriter would expand their relationship by joining to create an integrated clinical enterprise. The agreement also calls for specialty care physicians employed by UnityHealth – Meriter to join UW Health.
The organizations also signed a letter of intent with UnityPoint Health and its managed care plan Physicians Plus as well as La Crosse, Wis.-based Gundersen Health Plan to explore a possible combination to form a health insurance organization. The combination would create broader networks better positioned to thrive in a competitive market.
"Changes to the health insurance landscape are prompting health insurers to explore ways to gain efficiency and ensure their long-term viability," said Troy Caraway, CEO of Physicians Plus and a senior vice president of UnityPoint Health. "Greater access to more in-network providers and facilities would help meet rising consumer expectations regarding the cost, coordination and experience of care."
The organizations will now finalize details of the transactions and work toward definitive agreements.
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