Sanford Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System complete merger

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the U.S., headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Marshfield Clinic Health System, have completed their merger and are now one nonprofit integrated health system operating as Sanford Health, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the future of rural health care.

“Today’s historic milestone paves the way for us to advance world-class care across the rural Midwest and accelerate vital investments in the communities we have the privilege of serving,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “Together, we will reimagine the future of local, patient-centered nonprofit health care by expanding services, enhancing access and harnessing innovative technologies to improve the health of our communities. We are thrilled to welcome 13,000 new employees from Marshfield Clinic Health System to our Sanford family and look forward to embracing all of the new possibilities that lie ahead.”

The Marshfield Clinic region is a new health services delivery region of Sanford Health that will continue to serve communities in Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Additionally, each organization’s respective health plans, Sanford Health Plan and Security Health Plan, will continue current operations under a common management reporting and governance structure. 

The health plans will be led by Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, executive vice president and president and CEO of Sanford Health Plan. Krista Hoglund serves as regional president and CEO of Security Health Plan and reports to Dr. Ibrahim

Working together, Sanford Health Plan and Security Health Plan will deliver better value to more members by harnessing complementary capabilities as a fully integrated health system. The combined health plans will be able to drive affordability and enhance patient and member outcomes through broader population health initiatives, value-based care programs and new, innovative care delivery models. 

There are no immediate changes to benefits or networks. Longer term, we will leverage the scale of our combined health plan to bring rural health care innovations to our communities and enhance member services to ensure all receive the best care and experience.

The combined system will serve patients and communities across the upper Midwest, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. The organization includes nearly 56,000 employees, 56 hospitals, 4,500 providers, two fully integrated health plans, specialty pharmacies and nationally recognized research institutions. Sanford Health Plan and Security Health Plan will serve more than 425,000 members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Security Health Plan?

Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., part of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, is helping its 225,000 members in Wisconsin and beyond reach their best health. Security is a not-for-profit health plan serving Wisconsin since 1971 and is the fourth largest regional health plan based on revenue and fifth largest in enrollment.

Security Health Plan offers health insurance coverage for employees of large and small businesses, individuals and families. In addition, Security Administrative Services, LLC, a service of Security Health Plan, is a full-service third-party administrator licensed in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.

What are the benefits of having two health plans in the combined organization?

Working together, Sanford Health Plan and Security Health Plan will deliver better value to more members by harnessing our complementary capabilities as a fully integrated health system. We will be able to drive affordability and enhance patient and member outcomes through broader population health initiatives, value-based care programs and new, innovative care delivery models.

What does it mean for members?

Members will not experience any changes to their coverage, benefits or networks as part of the combination for the immediate future. Longer term, we will leverage the scale of our combined health plan to bring rural health care innovations to our communities and enhance member services to ensure all receive the best care and experience.

For more information, please refer to this Sanford News article.