Urbana, Ill., Peoria, Ill., West Des Moines, IA, – UnityPoint Health and its Central Illinois region are exploring the transition of their Peoria-based hospitals and affiliated clinics to Urbana, Illinois-based Carle Health, as well as a potential partnership to deliver healthcare support services.
The health systems have signed two non-binding letters of intent:
UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois and Carle Health share similar values, as well as use of industry-leading electronic patient health records and focus on medical education, all of which will help to ensure a seamless transition of care for patients.
“We believe bringing services together will mean even better health for our patients and our communities,” said James C. Leonard, MD, president and CEO, Carle Health. “Care is so much more comprehensive when the patient’s care team includes clinical care, social support and insurance coverage. Coming together in Peoria and the surrounding region is an important opportunity to serve patients.”
In addition to the transition of UnityPoint – Central Illinois entities to Carle Health, UnityPoint Health and Carle Health are exploring opportunities to work together to enhance efficiencies, optimize performance, and reduce costs for the health systems.
“We’re excited about the possibilities ahead, as these potential collaborations represent a win for all three organizations and the communities we serve,” said Clay Holderman, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health. “We look forward to exploring opportunities to better support clinicians, enhance access to care and lower costs in a way that builds upon our long tradition of innovative partnerships.”
Through the proposal, patients and local communities would see lasting benefits, including:
During this period, the organizations will evaluate details of the potential integration and partnership exploration and address appropriate regulatory requirements as we work toward final agreements. If the organizations obtain all approvals, a closing date is anticipated in mid-to-late 2022.
About Carle Health
Carle Health combines clinical care, health insurance, research and academics in a way that solves real-world problems today with an eye toward the future. Supported by a deep philanthropic spirit, Carle is dedicated to doing what it takes to make life better for as many as possible. Its mission is to serve people through high-quality care, medical research and education. Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is an integrated system of healthcare services, which includes a five-hospital system, multi-specialty physician groups, as well as Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute. Named a Great Place to Work®, Carle Foundation Hospital also ranks as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ by Healthgrades® and both Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle BroMenn Medical Center hold Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. The system includes five hospitals with 827 beds, multi-specialty physician group practices with more than 1,000 doctors and advanced practice providers, and health plans including FirstCarolinaCare and Health Alliance. Health Alliance is a leading provider-driven health plan serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Washington, and FirstCarolinaCare health plan serves North Carolina.
About UnityPoint Health
UnityPoint Health is one of the nation's most integrated health systems, providing care to both metropolitan and rural communities across Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, UnityPoint Health has relationships with more than 450 physician clinics, 20 regional and 19 community network hospitals, 7 community mental health centers, 4 accredited colleges and home care services throughout its 9 regions. UnityPoint Health entities employ more than 32,000 employees who are dedicated to making it easier for people to live well. More at unitypoint.org.
About UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois
UnityPoint Health in the Peoria region includes Methodist, a 330-bed hospital; Proctor, a 220-bed hospital, and Pekin, a 107-bed hospital and nearly 850 board-certified physicians. The region also includes UnityPlace, a comprehensive, integrated community and medical behavioral healthcare system that includes a coordinated regional network of behavioral healthcare providers. UnityPoint Health’s commitment to quality has resulted in numerous awards and national recognition for excellence including Magnet designations for Methodist and Proctor. Specialty and primary care providers in UnityPoint Clinic, Proctor First Care, and Urgent Care clinics serve patients throughout Central Illinois. Methodist College offers health sciences programs to students pursuing a certificate, a baccalaureate degree, or a graduate degree.
The health systems have signed two non-binding letters of intent:
- First, UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois will explore the integration of its Methodist, Proctor and Pekin hospitals and clinics, Methodist College and other healthcare services into the Carle organization.
- Second, UnityPoint Health and Carle Health will evaluate system-to-system opportunities for collaboration and efficiency.
UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois and Carle Health share similar values, as well as use of industry-leading electronic patient health records and focus on medical education, all of which will help to ensure a seamless transition of care for patients.
“We believe bringing services together will mean even better health for our patients and our communities,” said James C. Leonard, MD, president and CEO, Carle Health. “Care is so much more comprehensive when the patient’s care team includes clinical care, social support and insurance coverage. Coming together in Peoria and the surrounding region is an important opportunity to serve patients.”
In addition to the transition of UnityPoint – Central Illinois entities to Carle Health, UnityPoint Health and Carle Health are exploring opportunities to work together to enhance efficiencies, optimize performance, and reduce costs for the health systems.
“We’re excited about the possibilities ahead, as these potential collaborations represent a win for all three organizations and the communities we serve,” said Clay Holderman, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health. “We look forward to exploring opportunities to better support clinicians, enhance access to care and lower costs in a way that builds upon our long tradition of innovative partnerships.”
Through the proposal, patients and local communities would see lasting benefits, including:
- Healthcare Delivery: Expanded access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services
- Healthcare Coverage: Greater options for value-based care and contracting for local employers who purchase healthcare
- Workforce Development: An even stronger healthcare workforce and broader pipeline for new talent through colleges and residency programs
- Operational Efficiency: Optimization of services to provide high-quality care and improved support to clinicians
During this period, the organizations will evaluate details of the potential integration and partnership exploration and address appropriate regulatory requirements as we work toward final agreements. If the organizations obtain all approvals, a closing date is anticipated in mid-to-late 2022.
About Carle Health
Carle Health combines clinical care, health insurance, research and academics in a way that solves real-world problems today with an eye toward the future. Supported by a deep philanthropic spirit, Carle is dedicated to doing what it takes to make life better for as many as possible. Its mission is to serve people through high-quality care, medical research and education. Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is an integrated system of healthcare services, which includes a five-hospital system, multi-specialty physician groups, as well as Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute. Named a Great Place to Work®, Carle Foundation Hospital also ranks as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ by Healthgrades® and both Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle BroMenn Medical Center hold Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. The system includes five hospitals with 827 beds, multi-specialty physician group practices with more than 1,000 doctors and advanced practice providers, and health plans including FirstCarolinaCare and Health Alliance. Health Alliance is a leading provider-driven health plan serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Washington, and FirstCarolinaCare health plan serves North Carolina.
About UnityPoint Health
UnityPoint Health is one of the nation's most integrated health systems, providing care to both metropolitan and rural communities across Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, UnityPoint Health has relationships with more than 450 physician clinics, 20 regional and 19 community network hospitals, 7 community mental health centers, 4 accredited colleges and home care services throughout its 9 regions. UnityPoint Health entities employ more than 32,000 employees who are dedicated to making it easier for people to live well. More at unitypoint.org.
About UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois
UnityPoint Health in the Peoria region includes Methodist, a 330-bed hospital; Proctor, a 220-bed hospital, and Pekin, a 107-bed hospital and nearly 850 board-certified physicians. The region also includes UnityPlace, a comprehensive, integrated community and medical behavioral healthcare system that includes a coordinated regional network of behavioral healthcare providers. UnityPoint Health’s commitment to quality has resulted in numerous awards and national recognition for excellence including Magnet designations for Methodist and Proctor. Specialty and primary care providers in UnityPoint Clinic, Proctor First Care, and Urgent Care clinics serve patients throughout Central Illinois. Methodist College offers health sciences programs to students pursuing a certificate, a baccalaureate degree, or a graduate degree.
Categories: News Releases
Tags: Methodist, Pekin, Peoria, Proctor, UnityPoint