Minot, N.D.-based Trinity Health announced July 9 that it is exploring a strategic integration or partnership with a larger national or regional health system.
The system said in a news release that rising costs to deliver care, combined with reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and commercial payers that fails to cover those costs, are driving the review.
The health system has hired a national consulting firm and formed a committee to lead the process. Trinity Health said it is evaluating options that would preserve local access to care, fund investment in its facilities, support staff recruitment and retention, and maintain local input into how the system operates.
“The exploration of a strategic integration strategy is about Trinity Health being proactive and visionary,” Trinity Health Board Chairman Pat Holien said in the release. “Healthcare is constantly evolving, and the Board wants to ensure Trinity Health can strengthen our services, enhance our resources and position ourselves to continue providing high-quality care for years to come.”
Trinity Health said this marks the first step in the process and that no final decisions have been made. Proposals from potential partners will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if integration “serves in the best long-term interests of Trinity Health and the mission to serve the Minot community and the region.”
The system includes a tertiary care hospital in Minot, more than 40 specialties, several rural health clinics and a long-term care facility, according to its website.
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