SSM Health Care, one of the largest Catholic health systems in the country, and Dean Health Systems, a large multi-specialty physician group, have signed an agreement under which the physician-owned Dean and its subsidiaries would become part of SSM Health Care.
The acquisition is pending the approval of Dean physician shareholders, the Wisconsin Insurance Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and other regulatory agencies.
The transaction could close as soon as this summer. The terms will not be disclosed.
The two companies already have an established integrated delivery network that manages the health of populations in south central Wisconsin. Dean, which has a clinic in Platteville, has expertise in managing physician practices, while SSM has geographic breadth and expertise in acute care. In addition, SSM and Dean jointly own an insurance company, Dean Health Plan.
“This is our opportunity to take the high quality/low cost model that SSM and Dean have developed in south central Wisconsin and expand it throughout the Midwest,” said SSM Health Care President/CEO William P. Thompson. “We are committed to partnering with our physicians in other regions to improve the patient experience, lower the overall cost of health care, and focus on keeping people healthy.”
“This transaction is being considered because it would help us become fully integrated and continue delivering value-based care,” said Craig Samitt, President and CEO of Dean Health Systems. “For our patients, there would be very few changes, with the potential for many advantages as we strive, during this critical time, to shift the focus of care delivery to higher quality at a greater value.”
The agreement would cement the 100-year relationship between the Madison-based Dean Health Systems and the St. Louis-based SSM Health Care. SSM has been present in Wisconsin since 1912 when it opened St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. In Wisconsin, SSM also owns St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital in Janesville, St. Mary’s Care Center in Madison, and St. Clare Meadows Care Center in Baraboo.
Dean Health Systems, Inc. is a for-profit physician-owned organization comprised of a network of 60+ clinics, Davis Duehr Dean eye care, Dean Pharmacy, Dean Health Plan (insurance provider already jointly owned by Dean and SSM), WIITTS (Wisconsin Integrated Information Technology and Telemedicine Systems, jointly owned by Dean and SSM) and Navitus Health Solutions (also jointly owned by Dean and SSM).
SSM Health Care is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system with an international reputation as a pioneer in the use of quality measures to improve care. With more than 7,000 physicians and 25,800 employees in four states, SSM is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. It is located in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Illinois and Missouri. In every region, SSM facilities forge creative relationships in the community to foster healthier people and healthier neighborhoods. Through these relationships and at its various sites, SSM serves more than 1.5 million people annually.
An early adopter of the electronic health record, SSM provides care in a range of convenient settings, including hospitals, a pediatric medical center, outpatient centers, rural and inner city clinics, surgery centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, physician offices, an emergency center, rehabilitation facilities, home care, and hospice. SSM was the first health care organization to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest award for quality.
Dean Health Systems, Inc. is a for-profit physician-owned organization based in Madison. DHS is comprised of a network of more than 60 clinics, Davis Duehr Dean eye care, Dean Health Plan (insurance provider already jointly owned by SSM), WIITTS (Wisconsin Integrated Information Technology and Telemedicine Systems) and Navitus Health Solutions.
Approximately 500 physicians provide primary, specialty and tertiary care. DHS serves more than 300,000 health plan members throughout south-central Wisconsin. Dean is an early adopter of process improvement within the health care industry, with a strong emphasis on primary care, wellness and preventative care.
