Hackensack Meridian Health has signed a definitive agreement to pick up Central New Jersey’s Hunterdon Health, a $230 million deal that would grow the state’s largest health system to 19 total hospitals.

The pair had signed a letter of intent to merge in June and are now pursuing state and federal regulatory reviews. The announcement did not outline a potential timeline for the merger’s close.

The agreement does outline a $200 million capital investment on behalf of Hackensack Meridian, which the nonprofits said would go toward facilities, programs and Central New Jersey communities Hunterdon serves.

Another $30 million will go toward rolling out Epic’s electronic health record, which is already in use at Hackensack Meridian, across Hunterdon’s footprint. The smaller system is headlined by Hunterdon Medical Center, a 184-bed teaching hospital, as well as ambulatory sites such as its more than 30 medical practices, its Hunterdon Medical Group and other participating independent physicians.

"Hunterdon Health has a long history of excellent, community-centered care,” Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett said in the announcement. “By investing in facilities, technology and clinical programs, we'll help ensure patients in this region can receive leading-edge care close to home, backed by the resources of our entire network. We look forward to welcoming Hunterdon Health's team members, physicians, and volunteers to the HMH family."

5 days) and slight uptick in daily patient volume.

Source link