Introduction

Current Capabilities

• Corewell Health has over 60,000 team members and more than 15,000 nurses in Michigan.
• Furthermore, Corewell Health has over 300 ambulatory or outpatient locations, more than 5,000 licensed beds, and 22 hospital facilities.
• The system has received a total of $100 million in health equity funding and $100 million from venture capital funding.
• Corewell Health has more than 7,000 employees contracted by Priority Health and over 1.3 million health plan members.
• Beaumont Health, one of the systems that merged to become Corewell Health, has two ambulatory surgery centers. They include the Trenton Surgery Center and the Wayne Surgery Center. Beaumont Health has approximately 30 urgent care centers.
• On the other hand Spectrum Health has 12 ambulatory surgery centers. Furthermore, Spectrum Health has 10 urgent care centers.

 

Source

Payer Capabilities

• Corewell Health is actively streamlining the patient billing process, offering financial support to those who struggle to meet their healthcare costs. This initiative is a testament to their dedication to enhancing healthcare accessibility.
• On July 11, 2023, Beaumont Health, which is rebranding to Corewell Health, implemented a new initiative to provide interest-free payment plans, tailored to accommodate the financial needs and outstanding balances of their patients. In collaboration with Commerce Bank, Beaumont Health has introduced Health Services Financing (HSF) accounts. These accounts are designed to offer a straightforward and cost-effective method for patients to manage their medical expenses.
• Corewell Health plans to establish an outpatient cardiovascular surgery center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The facility, set to be housed in a single-story building, will employ a team of 20.
• Corewell Health envisions a future where healthcare is uncomplicated, affordable, fair, and of exceptional quality. The healthcare system is committed to delivering superior care, services, and outcomes to patients, their families, and health plan members throughout the state.
• Over the next two years, Corewell Health will be introducing its new branding, with its 22 hospitals and three medical groups adopting the Corewell Health name.
• In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Corewell Health is in the process of building a new Center for Transformation and Innovation (CTI). The CTI, designed by Seattle-based NBBJ and managed by Rockford Construction, will serve as the administrative hub for the healthcare system. The project involves the renovation of a historic building, the construction of a new eight-story building, and two seven-story parking structures.
• Corewell Health is unwavering in its mission to provide the best possible healthcare and coverage. The healthcare system prioritizes culture, uniting around the shared objective of delivering exceptional care and improving health outcomes. Corewell Health is also dedicated to bridging the cultural gap between West Michigan and Southeast Michigan through collaboration and a shared passion for healthcare.

Mergers

• In February 2022, Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health (BHSH) merged to form a new healthcare system known as Corewell Health. This new entity symbolizes a dedication to health and wellness.
• This merger marked a pivotal moment as it resulted in the creation of the largest health system within the state of Michigan. The roots of this merger can be traced back to the strengthened cross-state collaborations that emerged during the challenging times of the pandemic.The executives of both health systems had frequent discussions about the potential for a merger, and the pandemic provided the opportunity to come together and improve health and the quality of healthcare across the state.
• The merger, which was announced in June 2021, was officially concluded, and the name 'Corewell Health' was unveiled for the unified entity on October 11, 2022. This marked a new chapter in the provision of healthcare services in the region.
• The merged health system maintained its central operations in both Grand Rapids and Southfield. The chosen name, Corewell Health, signifies the organization's commitment to promoting wellness and enhancing health outcomes. The logo of Corewell Health, characterized by two interconnected Cs, symbolizes the integral connection between healthcare provision and health insurance coverage.
• As part of the rebranding, several hospitals and medical groups were renamed under the Corewell Health brand. For example, Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe became Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital, and Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital became Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital.

 

Source

Priority Health

• The merger of Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health, culminating in the establishment of Corewell Health, appears to influence the growth and expansion for Priority Health.
• Priority Health “is the insurance arm” for Corewell Health.
• Before the merger, Priority Health was a subsidiary of Spectrum Health. After the merger, Priority Health became a part of Corewell Health.
• It is crucial to note, however, that there is no explicit merger between Corewell Health and Priority Health. Instead, Priority Health is strategically leveraging the Corewell Health consolidation as a springboard for its own expansion.
• Approximately 11 months after the merger of Spectrum and Beaumont, culminating in the formation of Corewell Health, Priority Health is poised to establish its foothold in Southeast Michigan. This implies that Priority Health is strategically utilizing the merger as a means to broaden its operational scope and enhance its regional presence.

Research Strategy

Introduction

Current Capabilities

• Based in Detroit, Michigan, Henry Ford Health Systems (HFHS) operates six hospitals and over 250 other facilities across the state, providing comprehensive healthcare services. These include "Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, and Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital."

 

Source

 

• HFHS has a significant number of beds across its hospital network. For instance, 877, 475, and 366 beds are in "Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital" (respectively). Similarly, "Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, and Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital" have 191, 360, and 100 beds (respectively). Cumulatively, the HFHS health system has roughly 2,369 [877 + 475 + 366 + 191 + 360 + 100] beds across its hospital network.
• While the company's site does not categorically indicate the number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) HFHS operates in Michigan, it does suggest that HFHS operates 11 same-day care facilities in Michigan. Additionally, Henry Ford Allegiance Health, in collaboration with Advanced Orthopedic Specialties, a third-party developer/manager, as well as a group of eight spine and orthopedic surgeons practicing in Jackson, committed an investment of $8 million to establish a joint ASCs enterprise, dubbed Grass Lake Surgery Center.

 

Source

 

• HFHS has an estimated 15 urgent care centers in Michigan through the Henry Ford-GoHealth partnership. Healthcare Finance News indicated that "southeastern Michigan was anticipated to witness the opening of multiple new sites in 2022. However, Henry Ford's website shows that the company operates 9 emergency locations within the state and 10 emergency rooms.
• While the company's site does not categorically indicate the number of home hospitals HFHS operates in Michigan, HFHS is "focused on helping patients return home [by providing] a wide range of products and services." Services offered included Henry Ford at Home, e-Home Care, Home Infusion, and PACE Southeast Michigan.
• However, HFHS operates 32 rehabilitation centers. Henry Ford Health System partnered with Contessa — the US' leading "operator of high-acuity home care," to strengthen its home health care. With a demonstrated track record of enhancing patient well-being and elevating their contentment, Contessa's methodology is renowned for achieving superior clinical results, exemplified by a substantial 44% decline in readmission rates, a notable 35% decrease in the average duration of hospital stays, and an impressive patient satisfaction rating surpassing 90%.

Payer Capabilities in Michigan

• HFHS has implemented innovative payment models, such as online payments through mobile, MyChart, and mail, as well as open-scheduling capabilities to attract and retain new patients. These are aimed at providing flexibility to patients. Additionally, the company gives its patients the flexibility of signing up/creating a payment plan or making a one-time payment.
• In addition to the alternative payment models (APMs), HFHS has implemented cost-effective care strategies involving the utilization of value-driven payment models and frameworks like clinically integrated networks (CINs), accountable care organizations (ACOs), and bundled payments, effectively motivating and executing proactive healthcare measures within affordable environments.
• In a collaborative effort to enhance healthcare accessibility in Detroit, Henry Ford Health forges alliances with two federally qualified clinics within the city, namely the CHASS Center and the Cabrini Clinic. The Detroit News indicates that Henry Ford Health's $155 million expansion project for the Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion commenced in June 2017.
• HFHS is partnering with Michigan State University (MSU) to establish Michigan as a trailblazer on a national level in terms of granting unparalleled healthcare opportunities to every individual residing within its borders. According to The Detroit News, this transformational plan is set to cost $2.5 billion and will be implemented over the next decade with Michigan State University and the Detroit Pistons.
• The cutting-edge medical research institution to be established by Henry Ford Health and MSU will serve as a hub for collaborative research endeavors that will positively impact patients and individuals spanning from local neighborhoods to our broader community and worldwide. The facility will feature a patient tower that will house 350 beds.

 

Source

 

• The "brand-new, state-of-the-art academic hospital facility" is scheduled for construction in 2024. It is expected to open in 2029 as part of the HF hospital's 3-decade partnership with MSU. HFHS indicates that "with a major expansion of Henry Ford Hospital," they will tender their services to individuals from across the street, region, and globe. Patients, families, and caregivers alike can expect a hospital equipped with state-of-the-art technology, ensuring an elevated level of care, comfort, and convenience through exclusively private patient rooms and seamless, cutting-edge amenities.
• In 2020, HFHS formed a joint venture with Acadia Healthcare to build a new mental health hospital, which was set to open in 2022. Acadia was Henry Ford's chosen partner due to its unwavering dedication to care centered around patients and families, remarkable clinical results, and well-established history of fruitful collaborations with health systems nationwide.

Recent Mergers & Acquisitions

• HFHS has been actively expanding its healthcare services and facilities through mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. For instance, in 2016, Henry Ford acquired HealthPlus of Michigan in Flint in a $400 million deal. Still, in 2016, HFHS expanded with the acquisitions of Jackson-based Allegiance Health. In addition to expanding HFHS's geographic reach, these two acquisitions expanded HFHS' revenue by $800 million.
• In 2019, Health Alliance Plan (HAP) solidified a binding contract to acquire Trusted HP — Michigan, a Medicaid plan with a membership of 9,000 residing in Detroit, previously recognized as Harbor Health Plan, Inc., and this transaction is being carried out in partnership with Henry Ford Health System.
• In late 2012, Henry Ford Health System, headquartered in Detroit, and Beaumont Health System, located in Royal Oak, Michigan, entered into a mutual agreement to merge their respective operations, forming a groundbreaking $6.4 billion entity. Additionally, this merger was set to include some 40,000 employees.

Research Strategy

Introduction

Current Capabilities of the Ascension Healthcare System

Current Capabilities in Michigan

• As one of the largest Catholic non-profit healthcare systems in the U.S., Ascension operates 16 hospitals in Michigan. These hospitals include; Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital, Ascension Borgess Hospital, Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital, Ascension Borgess-Pipp Hospital, Ascension Genesys Hospital, Ascension St. Joseph Hospital, Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Ascension Standish Hospital, Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery. Others are Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Ascension Providence Hospital (Novi Campus), Ascension Providence Hospital (Southfield Campus), Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, Ascension River District Hospital, and Ascension St. John Hospital.
• Based on the hospitals it operates in Michigan, Ascension has 3505 hospital beds. Ascension St. John Hospital has 714 beds, 25 beds in Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital, 353 beds in Ascension Borgess Hospital, 25 beds in Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital, 43 beds in Ascension Borgess-Pipp Hospital, 373 beds in Ascension Genesys Hospital, 47 beds in Ascension St. Joseph Hospital. 226 beds in Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, 54 beds (25 acute and critical care and 29 skilled nursing beds) in Ascension Standish Hospital, 99 beds in Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery. Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Warren Campus, has 518 beds, and the Madison Heights Campus has 159 beds. Ascension Providence Hospital (Novi Campus) has 0 beds, the Ascension Providence Hospital (Southfield Campus) has 599 beds. The Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital has 202 beds, and the Ascension River District Hospital has 68 beds.
• Ascension does not yet have ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). In 2021, Ascension and Regent Surgical Health entered into a partnership where Regent Surgical Health would be Ascension's exclusive ambulatory surgery center development partner. Through the partnership, Ascension and Regent Surgical Health will acquire or develop and operate ambulatory surgery centers in the communities Ascension serves.
• Ascension has 102 urgent care centers in Michigan. The urgent care centers include Ascension Standish Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic, Ascension St. Joseph Hospital Huron Shores Walk-In Clinic, Ascension St. Joseph Bone and Joint Center, Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital — Allegan Clinic Walk-In Center, and more.
• Ascension has 5 home care hospitals/facilities, 10 hospice care facilities, 2 palliative care facilities, and 2 home infusion facilities in Michigan. Ascension partners with Home Together with Compassus to provide home healthcare services. In addition to home healthcare, they provide home infusion, palliative, and hospice care.

 

Source

 

Payer Capabilities in Michigan

• Payment models: Ascension Healthcare provides price transparency to its current customers and potential patients. The price estimator is a guide to help in planning healthcare tests, services, and procedure costs. Through this service, customers can obtain a better understanding of their out-of-pocket costs. The uninsured, or those who do not intend to file an insurance claim, can receive a good faith estimate of non-emergency service or care costs.

• Expansion and future plans: Ascension Healthcare announced it would reinvest in the Northern Michigan Hospitals by investing $175 million. Out of the operational capital, $125 million will go to three hospitals, Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, Ascension Standish Hospital in Standish, and Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City. In 2018, Ascension St. Mary’s received $50 million for upgrades, renovations and $18 million for emergency care center expansion. The investments support their strategic growth plans for developing master facilities.

 

Source

 

• Ascension has also invested capital in expanding its ambulatory and ancillary services capacity in ambulatory surgical centers, imaging, at-home care, and outpatient rehabilitation facilities. In 2022 Ascension spent approximately $1.7 billion in facility development and plans to invest a similar amount in 2023, according to Ascension executives. In 2023, Ascension plans to invest $105 million in 184 imaging sites and $150 million in 73 new ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs).

• Pursued partnerships: In 2020, Ascension Michigan partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and other providers to launch Blueprint for Affordability. The value-based program unifies care coordination and quality with risk-based contracts to allow providers to manage patient population health and reduce the cost of care. Ascension Michigan hospitals and Blue Cross work towards identifying patient costs and cooperating to improve the quality of care, care coordination, patient outcomes, and wellness to guarantee that the related costs are met. For providers, successful management of the cost of care and patient health gets a share of the generated savings. For providers that do not successfully manage the cost of care and patient health, they share the cost. Through cooperation, Ascension Michigan can promote affordability and quality in healthcare. The risk-sharing agreements were active on January 1st, 2020, and cover Medicare Advantage PPO and Blue Cross Commercial PPO plans.

Examples of Recent Partnerships

• Ascension Healthcare merged with LabCorp to create an all-around strategic relationship. LabCorp will handle Ascension’s hospital-based laboratories in 10 states: Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. The relationship will seek LabCorp to improve the efficiency and standardization of Ascension’s systems through its proprietary processes and analytic tools and create opportunities to improve care in all clinical areas. Also, LabCorp will buy Ascension's select assets in the outreach laboratory business.
•  Ascension will also leverage LabCorp's scale, expertise technologies in neurology, oncology, and women's health to improve their offerings and laboratory services. Additionally, clinicians and patients can access LabCorp’s at-home test collection and diagnostic services.
• Ascension will also leverage LabCorp's Drug Development to improve physician and patient opportunities and provide access to innovative therapies, clinical trials, and where suitable novel treatment options.
• In 2021, Ascension and Regent Surgical Health entered into a partnership where Regent Surgical Health would be Ascension's exclusive ambulatory surgery center development partner. Through the partnership, Ascension and Regent Surgical Health will acquire or develop and operate ambulatory surgery centers in the communities Ascension serves. According to Ascension executives, Ascension spent approximately $1.7 billion in facility development in 2022 and plans to invest a similar amount in 2023. In 2023, Ascension plans to invest $105 million in 184 imaging sites and $150 million in 73 new ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs).

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• Trinity Health System in Michigan encompasses a variety of healthcare facilities (hospitals), such as Trinity Health Ann Arbor, Trinity Health Livingston, Trinity Health Livonia, Trinity Health Oakland, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Trinity Health Grand Haven, Trinity Health Muskegon, Trinity Health Shelby, Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, and Chelsea Hospital.
• Trinity Health Michigan has 24,000 employees serving multiple counties. It has 2,348 beds, 3,400 physicians, and generates $3.4 billion in revenue. The health system returns $195 million to local communities annually. It offers a full continuum of care, including ambulatory care locations, home health agencies, hospice services, and senior living communities.
• On June 5, 2023, Southridge Behavioral Hospital, a joint venture between Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) and Trinity Health Michigan, held a groundbreaking ceremony. The hospital will be in Byron Center, Michigan, near Trinity Health Medical Center. It is set to open in 2025 with 96 beds, serving adult and geriatric patients. The facility will employ around 170 staff members and offer tailored psychiatric services, counseling, art therapy, music therapy, and outdoor activities.
• Trinity Health, a prominent healthcare system, is committed to revolutionizing healthcare by utilizing Alternative Payment Models (APMs). With over $10 billion allocated towards the cost of care responsibility under these agreements, Trinity Health ensures that providers are held responsible for both the quality and cost of care for a vast patient population exceeding 1.6 million individuals. This encompasses 275,000 beneficiaries within Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs), 165,000 beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage models, and 1 million beneficiaries in commercial and Medicaid APMs.
• Trinity Health IHA Medical Group has partnered with Ready to Work powered by CampusEd® to address healthcare workforce needs. This collaboration offers no-cost job training and connects learners to critical healthcare roles. Ready to Work provides online coursework, hands-on labs, and certification preparation. After completion, candidates are associated with IHA for interviews and job placement, creating opportunities in healthcare careers.

Introduction

Current Capabilities Of Trinity Health System In Michigan

• Trinity Health, based in Livonia, Michigan, is among the country's most prominent Catholic healthcare systems. Its operations in 22 states employ about 129,000 colleagues, including 7,500 physicians and clinicians. Trinity Health has annual operating revenues of $18.3 billion, assets of nearly $27 billion, and returns approximately $1.2 billion to its communities annually through charity care and other community benefit programs.
• Trinity Health Michigan has 24,000 employees serving multiple counties. It has 2,348 beds, 3,400 physicians, and generates $3.4 billion in revenue. The health system returns $195 million to local communities annually. It offers a full continuum of care, including ambulatory care locations, home health agencies, hospice services, and senior living communities.

• Trinity Health System in Michigan encompasses a variety of healthcare facilities (hospitals), such as Trinity Health Ann Arbor, Trinity Health Livingston, Trinity Health Livonia, Trinity Health Oakland, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Trinity Health Grand Haven, Trinity Health Muskegon, Trinity Health Shelby, Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, and Chelsea Hospital.
•  Chelsea Hospital, a 133-bed not-for-profit facility, is a joint venture between Trinity Health Michigan and University of Michigan Health. It holds the rare distinction of a double, five-star rating from the Centers for Medicaid Services and Medicare, making it one of only 19 hospitals nationwide to receive such recognition. Accredited by the Joint Commission, it attracts over 500 physicians and offers advanced technology alongside compassionate care.
• Trinity Health Ann Arbor, a renowned teaching hospital, boasts a capacity of 537 beds. It has garnered recognition as a Top 100 Hospital and is the number one teaching hospital, as acknowledged by IBM Watson.
•  Trinity Health Grand Haven, previously known as North Ottawa Community Hospital, is an 81-bed hospital in Grand Haven, Michigan. Our facility serves the communities of northwest Ottawa County and the surrounding areas in southern Muskegon County. With a focus on compassion, renowned proficiency, and cutting-edge technology, we offer a welcoming environment that respects the sanctity and worth of each individual.
• Trinity Health Grand Rapids is a Joint Commission-accredited teaching hospital with exceptional facilities, including the Lacks Cancer Center, Hauenstein Neurosciences Center, Kidney Transplant Center, state-of-the-art Emergency and Trauma services, an Orthopedic Center of Excellence, and Trinity Health Medical Group.
• Trinity Health Livingston is the only comprehensive medical facility in Livingston County, providing a complete range of healthcare services. With a capacity of 66 beds, this hospital addresses the health requirements of the community through a team of skilled and caring medical professionals who employ cutting-edge technology.
• Trinity Health Livonia offers inclusive and empathetic healthcare services to the residents of Wayne County. Established and inaugurated by the Felician Sisters in 1959, this community hospital has 304 beds.
• Trinity Health Muskegon, a leading global healthcare destination, is an environmentally friendly facility known for its energy efficiency. Spanning ten stories, it offers 267 spacious private patient rooms, a recently upgraded Emergency Department, cutting-edge surgical and procedural areas, and a range of contemporary amenities and advanced technologies.
• Trinity Health Oakland Hospital is a leading 497-bed community teaching hospital and Level II Trauma Center in Oakland County. It offers comprehensive cardiovascular, stroke, orthopedics, obstetrics, gynecology, and cancer care. The hospital features a surgical pavilion, a south patient tower with 204 private rooms, and a recently renovated mother-baby unit.
•  With over 95 years of service in West Michigan, Trinity Health Shelby offers cutting-edge technology and highly skilled physicians in a patient-centered environment. Trinity Health Medical Group recognizes them as progressive cardiovascular and cancer care leader, neurosciences, weight management, orthopedics, and primary care.

 

Source

Payer Capabilities Of Trinity Health System

• Trinity Health, a prominent healthcare system, is committed to revolutionizing healthcare by utilizing Alternative Payment Models (APMs). With over $10 billion allocated towards the cost of care responsibility under these agreements, Trinity Health ensures that providers are held responsible for both the quality and cost of care for a vast patient population exceeding 1.6 million individuals. This encompasses 275,000 beneficiaries within Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs), 165,000 beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage models, and 1 million beneficiaries in commercial and Medicaid APMs.
• Trinity Health Michigan has improved its billing systems to provide a convenient and safe way to make payments for bills, which can be done through online platforms or by traditional mail. They accept major credit cards like MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. The new patient portal, MyChart, allows for paying all patient bills.

Expansion and Future Plans

• On June 5, 2023, Southridge Behavioral Hospital, a joint venture between Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) and Trinity Health Michigan, held a groundbreaking ceremony. The hospital will be in Byron Center, Michigan, near Trinity Health Medical Center. It is set to open in 2025 with 96 beds, serving adult and geriatric patients. The facility will employ around 170 staff members and offer tailored psychiatric services, counseling, art therapy, music therapy, and outdoor activities.

• Mercy Health is a non-profit healthcare system that serves residents of Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and surrounding communities in Michigan. As part of Trinity Health, the second-largest Catholic Health System in the US, Mercy Health provides faith-based care that respects every person. Their $291 million Mercy Campus Expansion and Consolidation Project involved constructing a 10-story tower, renovating existing areas, and relocating various departments. This expansion doubled the size of the Muskegon campus, increased patient bed capacity to 267 patient beds, 4 Cath/interventional radiology labs, 19 operating rooms, 4 Cath/interventional radiology labs, a 48-bed emergency department, and improved service delivery. The project was completed in 2020 after three years of phased construction.
•  
  Source
   

• The upcoming Trinity Health Livingston Hospital, scheduled to commence operations in 2026 at the Trinity Health Medical Center — Brighton location, signifies a significant community investment of $238.2 million. The construction of this state-of-the-art hospital entails a four-story structure spanning 174,000 square feet. It will feature 56 beds that can be adjusted based on patient needs, 18 preexisting Short Stay Unit beds, and eight licensed operating rooms. Additionally, the neighboring Trinity Health Medical Center is currently undergoing renovations.
• Trinity Health plans to construct a four-story, approximately 186,000-square-foot addition to the medical building at 7575 Grand River. The new facility, Trinity Health Medical Center – Brighton, aims to expand community health services. However, the expansion project for St. Joseph Mercy Brighton Health Center is currently on hold due to concerns about traffic and storm water regulations. The project includes 72 in-patient beds, an expanded emergency department, a cafeteria, and upgrades to support spaces and utilities. The anticipated opening is in 2026, and the closure of Trinity Health Livingston Hospital in Howell will coincide with the new facility's launch.

Partnerships

• Trinity Health Michigan and the University of Michigan Health established a unique partnership on October 20, 2022, to deliver advanced pediatric specialty care to Trinity Health Oakland Hospital (previously known as St. Joseph Mercy Oakland) and its surrounding communities. Esteemed pediatric specialists from Michigan's renowned children's hospital will offer their expertise in the tri-county area, catering to patients through outpatient clinics and inpatient consultation and procedures at Trinity Health Oakland. This collaboration seeks to improve the availability of advanced pediatric care for families residing in the metro Detroit region.
• On June 20, 2023, Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Trinity Health Livingston jointly announced allocating eight grants to community-based organizations in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. These organizations have been carefully chosen to receive financial support aimed at further enhancing the health and well-being of residents living and working in the communities served by each hospital.
• Trinity Health IHA Medical Group has partnered with Ready to Work powered by CampusEd® to address healthcare workforce needs. This collaboration offers no-cost job training and connects learners to critical healthcare roles. Ready to Work provides online coursework, hands-on labs, and certification preparation. After completion, candidates are associated with IHA for interviews and job placement, creating opportunities in healthcare careers.

Mergers and Acquisitions

• In 2021, Trinity Health of Livonia, Michigan, acquired a majority stake in Premier Health, an urgent care manager based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As part of the agreement, Premier Health will oversee approximately 20 urgent care facilities owned by Trinity Health while maintaining their ownership. With this partnership, Premier Health's management responsibilities will extend to over 70 urgent care clinics spanning nine states, including a Trinity Health of New England urgent care site. Premier Health aims to double its current number of urgent care centers in the coming years.

Research Strategy

Introduction

Current Capabilities in Michigan

• The University of Michigan Hospital (UofM), also known as Michigan Medicine, operates in the Michigan healthcare system to provide "patient-centered, collaborative medical care" at a number of hospitals, health centers, and outpatient clinics across the state. The University of Michigan Health, the clinical branch of Michigan Medicine, operates "five hospitals, 125 clinics and the U-M Medical Group." As of December 2022, Michigan Medicine had five hospitals, 125 clinics and home care operations" handling over 2.3 million outpatient visits annually.
• According to the Michigan Medicine website, there are 16 medical campuses and 66 community clinics in the University of Michigan Hospital system across Michigan. Across the University of Michigan Hospital health system, there are 1,107 licensed medical and surgical beds.

 

Source

 

• The University of Michigan Health System has a network of 30 health centers and over 120 outpatient clinics. Michigan Health has 38 locations in Ann Arbor and at least one location in each of the following Michigan cities: Alpena, Bay City, Brighton, Canton, Chelsea, Detroit, Dexter, Flint, Grand Blanc, Grand Rapids, Howell, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Livonia, Marquette, Midland, Mount Pleasant, Muskegon, Northville, Novi, Petoskey, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Saline, Southfield, Toledo, Traverse City, Wyoming, and Ypsilanti.
• While Michigan Medicine does not provide the number of ambulatory surgery centers they operate, there is an Ambulatory Surgery and Medical Procedures Center at East Ann Arbor. The system's specialty care centers provide a range of specialty care services like "diagnostic, treatment, ongoing care management and rehabilitation in health centers and ambulatory surgery centers" across 30 locations in Southeast Michigan.

 

Source

 

• The University of Michigan Health System has 14 primary care centers across Southeast Michigan.
• MyMichigan Health, a "partnership of health providers, services and facilities" in Michigan, is a nonprofit healthcare provider affiliated with the University of Michigan Health System. MyMichigan Health has 12 subsidiaries across Michigan, nine hospitals, and 789 hospital and 51 long-term care beds. MyMichigan Health offers urgent care in eight locations across Michigan.

Innovative Payment Models

Paperless Billing

• Michigan Medicine has a patient portal, the MyUofMHealth patient portal, that offers patients access to services such as virtual urgent care, prescription refills, test results, and online bill payments.
• Since October 1, 2020, all MyUofMHealth patient portal users have been automatically enrolled in paperless billing. According to Michigan Medicine, this is a secure way for their patients to view and pay bills online and track their health care expenses without the inconvenience of mailed statements.

Mobile App

• Patients can also make payments to their accounts using the University of Michigan Health MyChart mobile app.
• There is also a Guest Pay feature on the patient portal that allows family members and others to pay online on behalf of the patients.

Expansion Plans/Future Plans

The D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion

• Construction is underway for a new Michigan Medicine Hospital named The D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion at University of Michigan Health. The 12-story hospital, scheduled to start accepting patients in the fall of 2025, will have 264 private rooms capable of intensive care, "a state-of-the-art neurosciences center, and high-level, specialty care services for cardiovascular and thoracic patients, along with advanced imaging." The new hospital is expected to cost $920 million.

 

Source

 

• When it is completed, the new hospital will cover 690,000 gross square feet, add 154 new beds to the medical campus, and relocate 110 beds currently in semi-private rooms to improve patient safety and privacy while allowing family members to take part in their patient's care. According to David Miller, President, University of Michigan Health, with the Pavilion, the state will have one of the most state-of-the-art hospitals in the US, which will be a game-changer for healthcare in the state.

Specialty Pharmacy Expansion

• In 2022, the U-M Board of Regents approved Michigan Medicine's plan for significant expansion of their specialty and mail-order pharmacy program at a facility in Dexter, MI. This plan includes buying a 144,300 square feet industrial building located on 23.57 acres of land in Dexter for $6 million and renovating the entire building to position it to offer pharmacy services at a cost of $52 million.
• The specialty pharmacy expansion will boost Michigan Medicine's in-house pharmacy by allowing the organization to increase the number of prescriptions filled annually by over two times. This will provide improve the quality and convenience of care provided to patients with complex and rare diseases while enhancing Michigan Medicine's bottom line.
• According to leaders at the organization, the new facility forms part of their plans to modernize their operations while staying competitive in the market. They are also focused on deeply integrating pharmacists with patient care teams to allow collaboration and improve the patient experience. Construction on the project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2023.

Relocation and Expansion of the Ypsilanti Health Center

• In December 2022, the U-M Health Board of Regents approved the expansion and relocation plans for the University of Michigan Health Ypsilanti Health Center to allow the center to continue serving its community with world-class care. As part of the expansion plans, the health system would enter a 15-year lease and repurpose a building that previously housed the Eastern Michigan University College of Business in Ypsilanti, MI.
• The new center will be at a convenient location close to the transportation center downtown and will provide comprehensive primary and specialty care services to improve access to the communities the center serves. According to Michigan Medicine, the project is expected to cost $35.4 million once completed, and the opening date will be announced in "the near future."
• Once completed, the new 50,000-square-feet, five-story facility will provide a wide range of services for adults and children, such as "family medicine, geriatrics, urology, behavioral health, cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, and women’s health, among others."

Partnerships

U-M Health Partnership with MyMichigan Health

• In 2013, The University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) and MidMichigan Health entered into a formal affiliation/partnership aimed at strengthening MidMichigan Health's ability to serve patients and communities while offering them easier access to U-M Health's expertise and advanced care.
• As part of the affiliation, UMHS got a small ownership interest in MidMichigan Health, starting at less than 1% and expected to grow to 20% over time. The affiliation was designed to offer better access to care for patients across the state, and it helps MidMichigan Health physicians "connect better with UMHS physicians for referrals or partnerships on patient care.", either in person or via telemedicine. While MidMichigan Health did not change its names as part of the affiliation, a new co-brand that included the "block M" was jointly developed.

U-M Health and Trinity Health Michigan Joint Operation

• In October 2022, Trinity Health Michigan, one of the leading healthcare providers in Michigan, and the University of Michigan Health agreed to a unique joint operation and collaboration to advance pediatric specialty care in Trinity Health Oakland Hospital. In the agreement approved by the University of Michigan Board of Regents, pediatric specialty care from U-M Health's C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is available to the Oakland County communities.
• According to Fabian Fregoli, the chief medical officer of Trinity Health, the agreement is a game changer for Oakland County families since it provides them with leading pediatric experts, thereby making the hospital an advanced pediatric care destination.
• The two health systems have a history of working together, with clinical programs and educational partnerships that have existed for decades. The recent agreement continues the tradition for these two systems, which was cemented in 2012 with a master affiliation agreement for the two systems to collaborate in enhancing healthcare in Michigan.
• In January 2022, the two systems signed a physician services agreement for Mott cardiologists to offer pediatric heart care at Trinity Health Oakland. The new collaboration would see Mott Children's Hospital open "urology and orthopedic clinics are opening in November 2022, and a pediatric surgery clinic in January 2023," with more specialties to be added in 2023.

Recent M&A Activities and Announcements

U-M Health's Acquisition of Sparrow Health System

• In December 2022, the University of Michigan Health announced that Sparrow Health System, a leading healthcare organization in Mid-Michigan, was set to join the University of Michigan Health System to expand services to residents in Mid-Michigan and across the state.

 

Source

 

• The agreement, which was expected to be completed during the first half of 2023, would enable Sparrow Health to continue its 126-year commitment to providing world-class care across the state. This agreement strengthened the University of Michigan Health's ability to provide care beyond southeast Michigan and would the organization achieve its long-term vision of providing highly-coordinated care across the state.
• As part of the agreement, the University of Michigan Health will invest $800 million in Sparrow Health System over eight years, to be "funded through facility projects, operations, and strategic investments." U-M Health's agreement with Sparrow will make them (U-M Health) a $7-billion organization with over 200 care sites in Michigan.

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• MyMichigan Health covers a 25-county region with medical centers in "Alma, Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Sault Ste. Marie and West Branch." It has a capacity was "789 hospital beds and 51 long-term care beds."
• MyMichigan Health offers various payment options, including a MyChart account for online payments and interest-free payment plans. They also participate in numerous insurance plans and provide billing and reimbursement services for Medicaid, CSHCS, Healthy Michigan Plan, and MOMS beneficiaries.
• The organization has been actively expanding its services, including the Hospital at Home program, which allows for inpatient-level care in a patient's home.
• MyMichigan Health has pursued strategic partnerships and acquisitions to enhance its capabilities, including the recent acquisition of Lansing-based Sparrow Health System by Michigan Medicine and partnerships with Mackinac Straits, War Memorial, and Helen Newberry Joy Hospital.

Introduction

Overview

• MyMichigan Health is a significant player in the Michigan healthcare market, providing "a full continuum of care across a wide array of settings." These include urgent care centers, home health, virtual care, and medical offices in more than 80 specialties and subspecialties.
• The health system covers a 25-county region with medical centers in "Alma, Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Sault Ste. Marie and West Branch."

• MyMichigan Health has a diverse human capital that has 10,180 employees, volunteers, health care providers, and other personnel. The number of associated physicians tally upwards of 1400 and it has more than 400 volunteers.
  Source

Current Capabilities

• MyMichigan Health has eight medical centers in "Alma, Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Sault Ste. Marie and West Branch. It also has affiliations with Medical Centers in St. Ignace and Mackinac Island."
• As of FY 2022, MyMichigan Health capacity was "789 hospital beds and 51 long-term care beds." It also has an additional "15 hospital beds and 48 long-term care beds not affiliated with University of Michigan Health System."
• MyMichigan Medical Center Alma has a capacity of 97 beds which are all private rooms. The medical center specializes in rural medicine and was fitted with a "New Cardiac Cath Lab, Maternity Center, and MRI rooms" between 2019 and 2020.
• MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena has a capacity of 139 beds and offers a "full continuum of health care services normally found only in much larger communities."
• MyMichigan Medical Center Clare has a capacity of 49 beds and also offers a "full continuum of health care services normally found only in much larger communities."
• MyMichigan Medical Center Gladwin is a "25 licensed-bed critical access hospital located in northeast central Michigan."
  Source
   
• MyMichigan Medical Center-Midland has a capacity of 324 beds in all private rooms. It offers "a broad range of primary and specialty care services, as well as 24-hour emergency care and Level II trauma care."
• MyMichigan Medical Center Mt. Pleasant offers primary care and medical specialties, including "general surgery, hematology and medical oncology, orthopedics, OB/GYN, and pulmonology/critical care."
• MyMichigan Medical Center Sault is a "49-bed hospital located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and specializing in high-quality rural medicine."
• MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch is an "86 licensed-bed acute care hospital located in northeast Michigan."

• All eight locations of MyMichigan Health offer Urgent Care. Its urgent care allows walk-ins without any prior appointments. Additionally, it accepts almost every kind of insurance and offers "lab and X-ray on-site."

• MyMichigan Health also has Health Parks in "Bay City, Freeland, Gladwin, Harrison, Houghton Lake and West Branch." The health parks provide patients with a one-stop shop for frequent healthcare needs like "primary care providers, physician specialists and related services such as laboratory, X-ray, physical therapy and more.

• A scan of MyMichigan locations indicate that the organization has 5 home care hospitals.

• These hospitals are located in Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Midland and Mt. Pleasant.
• The hospitals provides "health care services to assist homebound patients in regaining independence and maintaining the highest level of function following an illness or during recovery from surgery."

Payer Capabilities

• MyMichigan Health offers various payment options for their patients. These options include using a MyChart account, sending the bill via mail, or delivering it in person.
•  MyChart account is MyMichigan's most innovative and convenient way for patients to pay their bills. It is also the fastest and cheapest. All users need to do is log in to the account, and from there, they can view their "current balance, payment history, make secure online payments, and set up interest-free payment plans."
• The other ways to pay include mailing the payment to the address provided in the billing statement or delivering the payment to any of the patient service locations listed here. MyMichigan Health warms patients not to bring their bills to the "doctor's office or one of the clinical locations since the bills are processed in a central location."
• For any billing questions, MyMichigan Health provides customer service contacts for different hospitals and services. They also offer patient financial assistance for those who need it.
• In addition to this, MyMichigan Health is involved in "billing and reimbursement for services to Medicaid, CSHCS, Healthy Michigan Plan, and MOMS beneficiaries." This includes coordination of benefits, casualty, manual, and related links.
• MyMichagan Health participates in numerous insurance plans. It is very accommodating and requires patients whose insurance plans need to be listed on its website to contact them, and they will consider adding the health plan to their approved list of insurance partners. The complete list of health insurance plans that MyMichigan Health is participating in is provided in this LINK.

Key Initiatives

•  Only MyMichigan Health and three other hospitals offer CMS-approved Hospital at Home (HaH) programs in Michigan. In the entire country only 84 heath syatems provide HaH programs. The CMS-approved Hospital at Home (HaH) program allows for an “inpatient level of care in the comfort of one’s own home.”
• As of June 30, 2022, the HaH program had cared for more than 50 patients surpassing its initial goals.
• The care given at home includes “remote patient monitoring, collaboration with a patient’s primary care provider and virtual visits.”
• The program initially started as a pilot and has since expanded to include "COPD, pneumonia, and sepsis patients," with an extra emphasis on achieving an inpatient standard of care in the home.

Partnerships, Mergers and Acquistions

• One of the most recent acquisitions involves the University of Michigan's Michigan Medicine acquiring Lansing-based Sparrow Health System. The merger, which was finalized for $800 million in December, allows Michigan Medicine to expand its reach and capabilities. UM Board of Regents Chair Paul Brown said that "this combination creates a clinical care network that builds upon the strengths of the world-class University of Michigan Health academic medical center and Sparrow’s successful community-based health system."
• In 2022, MyMichigan Health partnered with Mackinac Straits and War Memorial, now MyMichigan Medical Center Sault. It also partnered with "Helen Newberry Joy Hospital and Healthcare Center to provide Epic Electronic Medical Record at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital."

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• McLaren Health Care has a network of 490 employed primary and specialty care physicians in Michigan.
• As of 2022, the healthcare provider had 3,412 Licensed Beds, with the McLaren Bay Region leading the way with a 415-bed acute tertiary care hospital in Bay City, Michigan, offering specialty, primary, and preventive care.
• The McLaren system consists of eight ambulatory surgery facilities.

Introduction

McLaren Health System in the Michigan Healthcare Market

Current Capabilities in Michigan

• In Michigan, McLaren Health Care operates 14 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), home health, infusion, and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network, and a medical malpractice insurance company. It also runs Michigan's largest network of cancer centers and providers, which is led by the Karmanos Cancer Institute.
• McLaren Health Care has a 490-member employed primary and specialty care physician network in Michigan. McLaren Clarkston, McLaren Bay Special Care Hospital, McLaren Thumb Region, McLaren Port Huron, and McLaren Oakland are among the hospitals managed by McLaren Healthcare in Michigan.

Source

 

• McLaren has 28,000 full-time, part-time, and contracted employees across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as over 113,000 network providers.
• As of 2022, the healthcare provider had 3,412 Licensed Beds, with the McLaren Bay Region leading the way with a 415-bed acute tertiary care hospital in Bay City, Michigan, offering specialty, primary, and preventive care.
• In an interview, Grant, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, expressed that their organization had demonstrated foresight in effectively managing large ambulatory facilities. Grant specifically highlighted the successful operation of facilities in Clarkston, West Branch, Cheboygan, and Fenton, while also mentioning their upcoming plan to establish a facility in Oxford by 2023. The McLaren system consists of eight ambulatory surgery facilities.
• Grant asserted that the inclusion of ambulatory facilities and clinics of such nature has enhanced the availability of healthcare services and played a crucial role in ensuring high standards of care. Grant underscored the indispensability of these facilities in promoting the overall well-being of contemporary communities.
• MCLAREN FLINT runs the McLaren Surgery and Endoscopy Center, an ambulatory surgery center that provides the following benefits: Increased efficiency, convenience, and satisfaction for doctors; Increased patient satisfaction and convenience. Makes the operating rooms at McLaren Flint accessible for more complicated procedures, such as those requiring cardiac, neurological, bariatric, single-port, robotic, and hysteroscopic surgery.
• According to the yearly report provided by the McLaren health system in 2022, there were a total of 252,942 home care visits. The annual report stated that their physician were in contact with patients who were suffering from chronic diseases at home. They operate 20 facilities that offer Home, Health and Hospice services.

Source

 

• McLaren healthcare system operates 12 urgent care centers. Aside from that they operate 100 plus primary care locations.

Payer Capabilities in Michigan

• McLaren Health Plan has put in place new value-based payment models that give providers incentive for great outcomes as well as low costs. For example, it has teamed up with McLaren Physician Partners to give a Primary Care Physician (PCP) Incentive Program that aligns incentives for general care doctors and specialists based on quality metrics, utilization management, and patient satisfaction.
• Club 101 is an incentive plan designed to reward and recognize McLaren Health Plan’s (MHP) Primary Care Providers.
• The vision of McLaren Health Plan is to be the recognized leader and preferred provider of health care services within the communities it serves. Additionally, it has stated that its mission is to be the greatest value in health care, as measured by quality outcomes and cost. To achieve these goals, the organization has prioritized the utmost level of quality, service, and care, while also enhancing the member experience and promoting access to high-quality health services.
• By the end of 2022, MyCare would have grown to serve 5,000 patients, enabling McLaren Health Care to monitor the health of tens of thousands more people. McLaren Physician Partners (MPP) teamed up with DaVita Kidney Care to provide patients with dialysis the support they need to track their consumption and never miss a treatment.
• In 2020, Premier, Inc., a global healthcare improvement firm, and McLaren Health Care announced that they had collaborated to purchase a minority share in Prestige Ameritech, the largest American maker of personal protective equipment (PPE) items such as N95 respirators and surgical masks.
• In 2019, the Michigan operation of Ascension Health Inc. joined McLaren Health Care and Henry Ford Health System to form the state's largest mobile medical services partnership.

Recent Mergers, Acquisitions, and Future Acquisitions

• In 2018, McLaren Health Care announced the completion of its acquisition of MDwise, an Indiana-based Medicaid managed care organization. The acquisition added more than 360,000 Medicaid members and expanded McLaren Health Plan's service area to Indiana. In the same year they also acquired Medicaid HMO.
• Despite the fact that the acquisition of MDwise doubled the number of lives covered by McLaren Health plans, it also presented significant challenges. Before the agreement was reached, MDwise was losing nearly $100 million annually on services. However, after rationalizing, reorganizing, and integrating MDwise into the McLaren system, this situation improved significantly in 2019 and was projected to continue in the fiscal 2020.
• In October 2020, McLaren Health Plans incorporated St. Luke's Hospital located in Maumee, Ohio into its network. The hospital, which consists of 312 beds, had been an integral part of the local community since its establishment in 1906. The establishment of the venture facilitated subsequent expansion of McLaren Health plans into the state of Ohio.
• McLaren Health Care and Walgreens collaborated in 2020 to establish McLarenCareNow retail clinics in a number of their pharmacies.

Research Strategy

Introduction

Bronson's Current Capabilities in Michigan

• Number of hospitals: Bronson has four hospitals (Bronson Methodist Hospital, Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, Bronson LakeView Hospital, and Bronson South Haven Hospital)
• Number of urgent care centers: Bronson has one urgent care center located in Battle Creek, providing care for people of all ages. The treated conditions include "Earaches/Ear infections, minor burns, minor cuts, minor infections, rashes, and simple fractures/broken bones."
• Number of beds: Bronson has 796 licensed inpatient beds, making it the largest healthcare system and employer in the region.
• Number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs): Bronson has one ambulatory/outpatient surgery center located in Kalamazoo.
•  
  Source
   
• Number of home hospitals: Bronson at Home provides high-tech treatments that are available in the hospital to people's homes. It serves nine counties in Southwest Michigan.

• Bronson Medical Group, which has over 700 physicians and advanced practice professionals, providing services for both adults and children. This is the "largest multi-specialty medical group in southwest Michigan."
• A non-profit ambulance company that serves Van Buren County, providing "911 emergency medical service, advanced cardiac and trauma transports, critical care transport services, long-distance transfers, and non-emergency and wheelchair transports."
• Bronson Commons, which is a 100-bed private room facility that provides short-term therapy and nursing care for nursing patients after injury, illness, or hospitalization.
• Bronson Athletics Club, which is a community that offers unrivaled workout experiences. 
•  
  Source
   

The Payer Capabilities in Michigan

1. Innovative Payment Models

• Bronson allows patients to view and receive their statements electronically using Bronson MyChart.
• Individuals can also make payments online through the platform, set up payment plans, and pay as guests without having to set up accounts.
• To receive paper bills, preferences can be updated in the billing section of the account.

2. Expansion and Plans for the Future

• While there are no expansion plans for the payment capabilities, Bronson plans to open the Bronson Behavioral Health Hospital in partnership with Acadia Healthcare Company in July 2023.
• The new hospital will address the increasing need for more obtainable high-quality behavioral health services in Southwest Michigan. This will expand the number of hospitals that Bronson Healthcare has to five.
• The hospital is expected to serve about 2,300 patients in its first year, and 3,200 yearly starting the next year. The new hospital has "45 adult general psychiatric beds, 24 beds for adults with developmental disabilities, and 24 new geriatric beds." A full scope of inpatient behavioral healthcare services for adult patients like "comprehensive treatment for those who struggle with acute symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)" will be offered.
• The hospital is a state-of-the-art, single-story facility on a 25-acre site, representing about $35 million in terms of investment.
• Through the agreement, inpatient behavioral health services will be transitioned from Bronson Battle Creek Hospital to the new hospital when it opens.
•  
  Source
   

3. Partnership With a Risk-Bearing Provider: HealthBridge Financial

• In 2021, Bronson Healthcare partnered with HealthBridge Financial by joining its provider network, allowing HealthBridge members to have a new way of paying for and managing their out-of-pocket payments when receiving care at Bronson locations.
• The partnership with HealthBridge aimed to ease the payment process for patients easier, providing them with increased options, including extended payment.
• HealthBridge "complements an employer’s high deductible health plan, helping covered participants manage and pay for out-of-pocket medical costs with a low employer cost and no enrollment cost to members."

Recent Merger and Acquisition

1. Acquisition: Bronson Medical Group's acquisition of Ascension Medical Group Borgess Rheumatology

• On June 5, 2023, Bronson announced that it would offer rheumatology patients a second location after acquiring Ascension Medical Group Borgess Rheumatology. 
• The practice became part of Bronson Rheumatology Specialists, staffed by two board-certified internal medicine specialists and rheumatologists with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
• The practice is now accepting new patients at the new location, and the previous patients can keep receiving care at the location if they choose to.
• Holly Adams, the VP and COO for Bronson Medical Group, welcomed the two doctors to the team of rheumatology experts, saying that having a new location on the west side of Kalamazoo together with the downtown office provides patients with more options and convenience. 

2. Merger: Constance Brown Hearing Centers

• On August 24, 2022, Bronson Healthcare announced that it would merge with Constance Brown Hearing Centers (CBHC) to strengthen the provision of audiology services in Southwest Michigan.
• The merger was effected on January 1, 2023, with CBHC becoming part of the Bronson Healthcare system, with a new name, Bronson Constance Brown Hearing Center (BCBHC).
• The merger involved CBHC donating all its assets to Bronson, and its staff and operations continuing after Bronson Medical Group's stewardship.

• This transition also involved CBHC making a restricted endowment fund donation to the Bronson Health Foundation to help hearing-impaired individuals who need financial assistance.
• BCBHC is now a member of Bronson Medical Group, easing the collaborating and scheduling process for audiologists and Bronson’s Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists. Patients are also benefitting from having their hearing visits added to the Bronson MyChart account, keeping all EMRs in a central location.
• BCBHC provides audiology services in its original locations and two new locations at Bronson Methodist Hospital and Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.
• Immediately after the merger, the new hospital sites offered audiology testing only, with planned expansion to other services in the future.

Research Strategy

Introduction

Risant Health

Mergers and Acquisitions

• In May 2023, Kaiser Permanente announced that it will acquire Pennsylvania’s Geisinger Health and form Risant Health, with the aim of expanding and accelerating the adoption of value-based care.

 

Source

 

• This move is expected to spark or expedite expansion talks and may speed up hospital consolidation. 

• The company also has 23,982 physicians and 68,218 nurses. 

• Risant Health's partnership with Geisinger Health is set to become the first health system to join Risant Health. The partnership is expected to infuse Risant Health's partners with value-based care (VBC) capabilities, with about $5 billion tagged for investments in five years.

• Risant Health intends to acquire four or five more hospital systems to fold into Risant in an effort to reach $30 billion to $35 billion in total revenue.

• Risant Health plans to add five or six more health systems to its network in the next five years and invest $5 billion in the enterprise.
• As a combined entity, Kaiser-Geisinger would have $100 billion in revenue.

Helpful Findings

• While the exact number of hospitals in Risant Health is not publicly available, Geisinger Health alone has 10 hospital campuses.
• Kaiser Permanente, the parent company of Risant Health has 39 hospitals and 623 medical offices in the U.S.

 

Source

 

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• The HCA Healthcare runs a network of 182 hospitals and over 2,300 care sites across 20 states. These sites include various healthcare facilities such as surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers, diagnostic and imaging centers, walk-in clinics, and physician clinics.
• The HCA Healthcare Physician Services Group Linkedin profile indicates that the company has over 170 urgent care centers.
• In April 2023, Augmedix and HCA Healthcare announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of AI-enabled ambient documentation.

Introductions

HCA Health System US Healthcare Market

 

Source

 

Overview

• HCA Healthcare is a leading healthcare provider in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals, with a mission that prioritizes the care and improvement of human life. HCA Healthcare collaborates with others to deliver innovative healthcare in both countries using advanced solutions and technology services.
• Its headquarters are in Nashville, Tennessee, and it has most hospitals in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia.
• The organization runs a network of 182 hospitals and over 2,300 care sites across 20 states. These sites include various healthcare facilities such as surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers, diagnostic and imaging centers, walk-in clinics, and physician clinics.
• According to data from Definitive Healthcare, HCA Healthcare has an impressive total of more than 41,400 beds, making it the largest health system in the United States based on bed capacity. Furthermore, HCA Healthcare is the largest health system in terms of both the total number of hospitals and net patient revenue. From 2019 to 2022, HCA's bed count had a notable 10% rise.

 

Source

 

• According to the official website of HCA Healthcare, the Ambulatory Services Division is a progressive part of the company that focuses on growth. This division includes over 140 surgery centers across 16 states and works with 3,200 physician partners. These centers specialize in performing outpatient surgery cases in various medical specialties. The Ambulatory Services Division is part of HCA Healthcare’s extensive network, which includes over 13 divisions.
• The HCA Healthcare Physician Services Group Linkedin profile indicates that the company has over 170 urgent care centers and manages more than 1,300 physician practices. 

Payment Models

• HCA Healthcare is committed to transparent pricing practices and has provided online access to pricing and patient financial information since 2007.

 

Source

 

• The information includes an online tool for estimating patient pricing, considering a patient’s specific insurance benefits, and providing a personalized assessment for insured and uninsured individuals. 
• In addition to the user-friendly online tool, it provides personalized support to patients via phone and is always ready to give tailored estimates and answer any questions. The customer service contact information is available on the linked websites for each facility, making it easy to get the help the patient needs.
• The organization greatly emphasizes responsible billing and collections practices. Its dedicated financial counselors work closely with patients to establish interest-free payment plans, making costs more manageable. The company aims to approach financial matters compassionately and alleviate the undue patient burden.

Expansion/Future Plans

• HCA Healthcare plans to invest $4.6 billion in 2023 to acquire land for new hospitals, expand outpatient networks, and address capacity limitations. They already own land in Austin, Dallas, and Florida and have recently acquired land in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
• HCA Healthcare announced on January 26, 2022, that it had plans to build five new hospitals in Texas to meet the growing demand for healthcare services. These hospitals will be in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. This expansion will increase HCA Healthcare’s presence in Texas to 45 hospitals and 632 affiliated care sites.
• HCA Healthcare’s long-term strategy includes four key pillars: advancing clinical systems and digital capabilities, transforming care models through innovation, expanding workforce development programs, and making strategic capital investments to broaden their networks and enhance offerings. These pillars form the foundation of their plan for sustained growth in the healthcare industry.

Partnerships

• In April 2023, Augmedix and HCA Healthcare announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of AI-enabled ambient documentation. This collaboration aims to use artificial intelligence to improve and streamline healthcare documentation, increasing providers' and patients' efficiency and accuracy.

 

Source

 

•  In August 2022, HCA Healthcare partnered with Johnson & Johnson to address crucial clinical and industry challenges. The collaboration focuses on advancing health equity, strengthening nursing support, and enhancing patient outcomes. By combining their expertise and resources, HCA Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson aimed to drive improvements in these vital areas of healthcare.
• In April 2022, HCA Healthcare announced a $1.5 million partnership with Florida International University to address the national shortage of nursing faculty and promote diversity in nursing education through scholarships. This initiative aimed to support the development of a well-rounded and inclusive nursing workforce.
• In May 2021, HCA Healthcare partnered with Google Cloud to accelerate its digital transformation by creating a secure data analytics platform. The goal was to develop advanced operational models, increase efficiency, and drive positive changes through innovation and data.

Mergers & Acquisitions

• In 2022, HCA Healthcare, Inc. completed the acquisition of BetterMed Urgent Care, which included 12 Urgent Care centers located in the Greater Richmond area, Fredericksburg, VA, and Charlotte, NC. This acquisition expanded HCA Healthcare’s reach and availability of urgent care services in these regions.
• HCA Healthcare, in 2021, announced an agreement to acquire the operating assets of five Steward Health Care hospitals in Utah and lease the corresponding real estate. These hospitals were integrated into HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division, which includes 11 hospitals in Utah, Idaho, and Alaska. This acquisition expanded HCA Healthcare’s regional presence and commitment to providing quality healthcare services.

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• Advocate Health has over 67 hospitals, more than 1,000 sites of care, and employs over 21,000 doctors and 42,000 nurses. It generates over $28 billion in revenue and delivers nearly $5 billion in community benefits.
• Advocate Health Care, a component of Advocate Health, is a "faith-based nonprofit health system in Illinois." It has ten hospitals with two kids' campuses. It has a team of 6,300 doctors serving patients in nearly 400 sites of care. It has more than 3,300 beds.
• Aurora Health, a component of Advocate Health, is an integrated, "not-for-profit health care provider serving communities throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois." It has 16 hospitals, 150+ clinics, and 70 pharmacies. It has a total of 2,743 beds (calculated)
• Atrium Health, another component of Advocate Health, is an "integrated, nonprofit health system with more than 70,000 teammates serving patients at 40 hospitals and more than 1,400 care locations."

Introduction

Advocate Health

• Advocate Health is one of the largest nonprofit integrated health systems in the U.S. It became one of the largest integrated health systems after Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health merged in 2022. Before that, "Aurora Health Care merged with Advocate Health Care to form Advocate Aurora Health" in 2018.
• Advocate Health has over 67 hospitals and more than 1K sites of care that serve close to 6 million patients annually.
  Source
   

• It has employed more than 21K doctors and almost 42K nurses.
• Advocate Health generates over $28 billion in revenue and delivers nearly $5 billion in community benefits.
• Its headquarters are in North Carolina, offering services across "Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin." It has also maintained a strong organizational presence in Chicago and Milwaukee.

Capabilities of Advocate Health Care

• Advocate Health Care is a "faith-based nonprofit health system in Illinois." It has ten hospitals with two kids' campuses. It has a team of 6,300 doctors serving patients in nearly 400 sites of care. It has more than 3,300 beds.
• Advocate Christ Medical Center: A leading healthcare provider in Chicago's Southwest suburbs with 788 beds, offering a Level I Trauma Center, access to national clinical trials, advanced medical technologies, and a team of over 1,500 physicians.
• Advocate Condell Medical Center: A leading healthcare provider in Lake County with 273 beds, offering advanced cardiac and stroke care, orthopedics, surgical services, emergency care, and family birth center with a team of over 900 physicians.
• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital: A leading healthcare provider in Downers Grove with 333 beds, offering advanced medical technologies, comprehensive cardiac care, orthopedics, and women's health services with a team of over 1,000 physicians.
• Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital: A leading healthcare provider in Barrington with 176 beds, offering advanced medical technologies, comprehensive cardiac care, orthopedics, and women's health services with a team of over 700 physicians.v
• Advocate Children's Hospital: A leading pediatric care provider in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge with 259 beds, offering advanced medical technologies, comprehensive pediatric care, and specialized children's services with a team of over 400 physicians.
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center: A leading healthcare provider in Chicago with 408 beds, offering advanced medical technologies, comprehensive cardiac care, cancer care, and women's health services with a team of over 800 physicians.
• Advocate Lutheran General Hospital: A leading healthcare provider in Chicago's North and Northwest suburbs with 651 beds, offering a Level I Trauma Center, access to national clinical trials, and advanced medical technologies with a team of over 1,708 physicians.
• Advocate Sherman Hospital: An acute community hospital in Elgin with 255 beds that has provided high-quality care to Chicago's northwest suburbs since 1888 with a team of over 952 physicians.
• Advocate South Suburban Hospital: A hospital in south suburban Hazel Crest with 217 beds, providing high-quality, compassionate care in more than 50 subspecialties, including advanced cardiac and stroke care, cancer treatment, and GI procedures, with a team of over 998 physicians.v
• Adocate Trinity Hospital: A hospital that has provided compassionate care to Chicago's Southeast Side for more than 120 years with 205 beds, offering advanced surgery, as well as advanced cardiac care with a team of over 749 physicians. 

• Advocate Health has 14 surgical centers. Only 1 of them is an ambulatory surgery center.
  Source
   
• It also has 26 Immediate Care Centers. There was no listing for any home hospitals on the Advocate Health Care site.
  Source
   
• It also has 11 acute care hospitals and 1 children’s hospital, with 2 campuses.

Capabilities of Aurora Health

• Aurora is an integrated, "not-for-profit health care provider serving communities throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois." It has 16 hospitals, 150+ clinics, and 70 pharmacies. Even though Aurora has not listed the total of beds, it provided the number of beds for each hospital individually. It has a total of 2,743 beds (calculated). Below is a list of all the Aurora Hospitals and their number of beds.
• Aurora Sinai Medical Center: A leading healthcare provider in Milwaukee with 301 beds, offering a wide range of medical specialties with a team of over 1,000 physicians.
• Aurora West Allis Medical Center: A 188-bed hospital in West Allis providing comprehensive healthcare services with over 50 specialties and a team of over 700 physicians.
• Aurora Health Care Metro, Inc.: A 112-bed facility in South Shore offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 50 specialties and a team of over 450 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center – Grafton: A 107-bed hospital in Grafton offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 60 specialties and a team of over 800 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center — Kenosha: A 128-bed hospital in Mount Pleasant offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 60 specialties and a team of over 800 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center – Summit: A 186-bed hospital in Summit offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 60 specialties and a team of over 1,000 physicians. 
• Aurora Medical Center – Washington County: A 108-bed hospital in Washington County offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 50 specialties and a team of over 500 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center – Burlington: A 25-bed hospital in Burlington offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 30 specialties and a team of over 200 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center – Kenosha: A 127-bed hospital in Kenosha offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 60 specialties and a team of over 800 physicians.
• Aurora Lakeland Medical Center: A 41-bed hospital in Lakeland offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 30 specialties and a team of over 200 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan: A 185-bed hospital in Sheboygan offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 60 specialties and a team of over 1,000 physicians. 
• Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc: A 61-bed hospital in Manitowoc offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 30 specialties and a team of over 300 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center – Oshkosh: A 84-bed hospital in Oshkosh offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 57 specialties and a team of 621 physicians.
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center: A 167-bed hospital in Green Bay offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 67 specialties and a team of 454 physicians.
• Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area: A 55-bed hospital in Marinette offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 30 specialties and a team of 406 physicians.
• Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center: The largest hospital in Wisconsin with 938 beds, located in Milwaukee, offering a wide range of healthcare services with over 87 specialties and a team of 1,320 physicians. It is also part of Aurora Health Care Metro, Inc.
• Aurora Psychiatric Hospital: A 105-bed hospital in Wauwatosa specializing in behavioral health care, offering seven specialties with a team of 55 physicians.

• Aurora health has 15 surgery centers of which 3 are ambulatory service centers.
  Source
   
• It has 40 urgent care centers.
  Source
   
• It has 3 home care centers.
  Source
   

Capabilities of Atrium Health

• Atrium Health is an "integrated, nonprofit health system with more than 70,000 teammates serving patients at 40 hospitals and more than 1,400 care locations."
• It offers its services in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
• It has 41 urgent care centers.
  Source
   
• Atrium Health is renowned for its "top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs." It has 41 cancer care centers and 33 heart care centers. It also has 46 Pediatric Specialty Care and 33 Pediatrics Primary Care centers.

Payer Capabilities

• Advocate Health does not offer services in Michigan. As such, we could not research its payer capabilities in Michigan. However, we have provided its payer capabilities in the US.

• Advocate Health Care accepts "cash, check, telecheck, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover." It also has a budget plan available for patients. The plan requires “a payment at the time of service, with the remaining balance payable over no more than a three to six-month period.”
• Aurora Health offers several payment options for their patients. It allows them to view their bills online and make secure payments from anywhere at anytime. They can pay with their LiveWell account or as a guest. Payments for WI Home Medical Equipment and IV Home Infusion Therapy can also be made online. Aurora Health also provides assistance in estimating the cost of services and comparing costs between Aurora and other providers.
• Advocate Aurora Health has been recognized as "a national leader in value-based care, with 2.2 million managed lives across 15 Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), four Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs), and nearly 60 value-based contracts. This approach to care has led to better outcomes and more affordable health care."
• In 2020 Atrium Health, committed to the value-based payment model in North Carolina. The value-based payment initiative "is a joint effort of the state's public and private sectors, with the goal of ensuring that in five years, an estimated 70% of the state's healthcare payments will be made through alternative payment models."

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Announcements about Future Acquisitions

• On April 5, 2023, Illinois News announced that Advocate Health is planning a "$16.2 million expansion at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to a recent application with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board."
• On May 11, 2022, Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health merged to form Advocate Health. They merged in order to make a positive impact across six key areas: "clinical preeminence and safety, health equity, affordability, next-generation workforce, learning and discovery, and environmental sustainability." The organizations pledged $2 billion to "disrupt the root causes of health inequities across both rural and urban underserved communities." They also plan to create employment for 20,000 people across the communities they serve.
  Source
   

Research Strategy