Family Medicine and Pediatrics services, existing providers and staff included in transition
Bluffton and Peru, Ind. (September 18, 2024) – Lutheran Health Physicians, Bluffton Medical Group and Dukes Medical Group announce the transition and sale of practices and operations of all family medicine and pediatric clinics in Bluffton and Peru. These clinics will transition to full ownership and operation by Meridian Health Services Corp., a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This will affect eight clinics — three in Bluffton, one each in Ossian, Warren and Markle, as well as two in Peru. Following the transition to ownership by Meridian on or about November 1, 2024, the clinics will remain in their current locations with current providers and support staff who will then become employees of Meridian. This transition affects primary care and pediatric clinic services. No hospital-based services of Bluffton Regional Medical Center (BRMC) or Dukes Memorial Hospital (DMH) are affected by the sale of these clinics.
FQHC’s are funded by the federal government and offer primary care and preventive care services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Meridian has been operating the internal medicine and pediatrics clinics in Bluffton through a lease arrangement with the clinic subsidiary affiliated with BRMC since 2020.
Ongoing investments by Meridian in family health care will enable these clinics to remain local and offer additional services including increased access to behavioral and social health services for underserved populations. Additionally, patients who are uninsured or underinsured will have access to a sliding fee scale and charity care to assure their access to care is not limited. Meridian Health Services has been providing health care for nearly 50 years with a holistic approach combining physical, mental and social well-being to help individuals achieve their best health. Annually, Meridian provides more than $4.2 million in charity care and serves nearly 45,000 patients throughout Indiana.
“This is good news for our patients, staff and providers, as well as each community and we know all will be in good hands,” said Julie Thompson, Chief Administrative Officer of BRMC. “The transition of full ownership to Meridian will keep the clinics in their current location with current providers, and Meridian’s FQHC status will enable these clinics to offer additional services,” added David Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer for DMH.
“We believe in treating the ‘whole person’ by caring for the physical, mental and social well-being of people to help achieve their optimum health,” said Seth Warren, President and Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Health Services. “This acquisition fits our mission to help make communities healthier, and we are well equipped to fully take on operation of these clinics and the dedicated staff who serve patients in each location.”
All current patients will receive a written communication including details of what is expected to be a seamless transition. Patients will continue to make appointments, see their providers and receive care in the current clinic locations. Once the transaction is final, Meridian will manage all aspects of the clinics and patient interactions.
For more information about Meridian Health Services, please visit www.MeridianHS.org.
