SSM Health will partner with fellow not-for-profit Medica, which offers individual health and dental plans, to create products for their members in the midwest.
Medica plans to invest in Dean Health Plan of Madison, Wisconsin, a subsidiary of SSM Health, and work to improve the patient experience through its operations, technology and value-based care enablement, the companies announced in a press release.
The strategic agreement is expected to be finalized toward the end of 2021, pending regulatory approvals.
"This important relationship is driven by our mutual commitment to add value in the healthcare experience through improved health outcomes and lower costs for our members," said John Naylor, Medica President and CEO, in a news release. "We believe together we can develop and deliver innovative solutions that best support people's health care needs in the communities we serve."
Each company will retain its respective health plan brands and products, including those under Medica, along with Dean Health Plan, Prevea360 and WellFirst Health.
The local focus will include enhanced services and products and do not expect any changes for members, employers, brokers, and providers.
Both SSM Health and Dean Health Plan have decades of experience and are passionate about centering around patient needs and provider and plan integration, said Randy Combs, Chief Financial Officer of SSM Health, in a news release.
"We look forward to working with Medica to help more people gain access to the high-quality affordable care they need and deserve," Combs said.