The merger between Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic could be a reality within the month.
The hospital can purchase the clinic as soon as the Illinois Department of Insurance gives its approval, which is anticipated to arrive by the end of March, said Gretchen Robbins, spokeswoman for Carle Foundation.
One of the final steps in the merger process was completed on March 2, when the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved a certificate of need permit allowing the hospital to purchase the clinic. Carle Clinic voted to accept the hospital’s $250 million offer in December.
The deadline has also passed for the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to ask questions about the merger.
Robbins said this means the commission likely has no further issues.
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“If the deadline passes, essentially they are not going to object,” Robbins said. “Once we have approval and find the papers, integration will truly begin.”
The beginning of integration will mean that “the continuity of care will be enhanced for patients,” said Jennifer Hendricks Kaufmann, spokeswoman for Carle Clinic. It will also mean “the extension of the community care discount,” as the clinic will become non-profit after the purchase, she added.
However, when this happens, it will no longer be required to pay property taxes to the city of Urbana.
The hospital and the city are still in meetings to decide how much the hospital will pay in lieu of the tax, Robbins said.
The hospital and clinic will also be aligning their billing practices and creating joint electronic medical records.
The records will include medicine that the patient is taking, as well as chronic conditions, past surgeries and family history.
“That really helps the provider (doctor) when providing care to the patient,” Kaufmann said.
James Leonard, president and CEO of Carle Foundation, said that the actual purchase of the clinic is just the beginning of an extended process.
“Bringing together two large, complex organizations is a lengthy process; but, throughout, high-quality health care will remain our top priority,” he said. “And, when there are bumps along the way—and we fully expect that there will be—we ask for our patients’ and community’s understanding, cooperation and patience.”
