By OPEN MINDS Circle
Billings Clinic and Logan Health signed a non-binding letter of intent in February 2023 to explore merging the two organizations. As of May 2023, they are still in the process, and waiting for regulatory approvals. A definitive agreement for the new, Montana-based organization is expected this spring with a goal to have all details and approvals finalized as early as this summer. The goal of combining is to create an integrated, independent, Montana-based health system that will enhance access, service and quality health care for the region.
Billings Clinic is an integrated, non-profit health care organization serving the local community and residents of Montana, Wyoming, and the western Dakotas. It provides primary and specialty care. Logan Health is a not-for-profit, 622-bed health system in Montana. A new, combined health system will provide the capacity to work together to integrate clinically and magnify opportunities to serve their communities, with a focus on:
- Improving safety, quality and service
- Expanding the depth and breadth of primary and specialty care provided locally
- Providing an inter-connected rural trauma and emergency transport program
- Engaging in a more effective and impactful approach for addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; population health; health equity and health disparities, including underserved populations and our tribal partners
- Gaining operational efficiencies to reinvest in advancing care and services for the communities we serve
- Enhancing recruitment and retention of excellent physicians, nurses, clinicians and other key staff
- Growing medical education, research opportunities and innovation
Logan Health has a 20-county draw area with nearly 700,000 people The health system consists of six hospitals, more than 68 provider clinics and a host of other health care services, including the nation’s first rural air ambulance service (A.L.E.R.T.), which it has maintained for more than 40 years.
Non-profit Billings Clinic is a physician-led, integrated multispecialty group practice with a 336-bed hospital and a Level II trauma center. As a health system Billings Clinic has more than 20 regional partnerships, including management agreements with 18 Critical Access Hospitals in Montana and Wyoming and one outpatient clinic, and four regional branch clinics. Billings Clinic is the largest trauma center and the first established and longest standing ACS- COT continually accredited trauma center in the state of Montana, and the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in Montana and Wyoming. Additionally, Billings Clinic is the first Magnet-designated health care organization in Montana and a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
Contact information: Logan Health, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901; 406-752-5111; Website: www.logan.org
Contact information: Billings Clinic, 2800 10TH Ave N Billings, MT, 59101-0799; 406-238-2500; Website: www.billingsclinic.com