Michigan Health Connect and Great Lakes Health Information announced Monday they will combine to form Great Lakes Health Connect (GLHC). Network members of the merged organization cover more than 80 percent of the hospital beds in the state and include more than 20,000 independent and employed providers. These health care providers serve more than half of the state’s 10 million people.

“Michigan Health Connect and the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange recognized that our missions were essentially the same and that we could better achieve our vision for a healthier Michigan together, rather than independently,” said Brian McCardel, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and chairman of the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange board of directors, in a statement.

GLHC will coordinate the exchange of electronic health records (EHR) between more than 120 hospitals. The company will also be able to provide real-time notification to providers for admissions and discharges from hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities.

“The depth and breadth of our network means we have the experience, resources and connections to initiate industry-leading advances in health information exchange on behalf of Michigan citizens,” said Doug Dietzman, executive director of GLHC and former executive director of Michigan Health Connect, in a statement.

The merger is in line with one of health care reform’s key requirements for technology to play a central role in containing costs, improving access and improving the health of patients. There is a 2015 deadline for health care providers that have not adopted a certified EHR system or can’t demonstrate “meaningful use.” If providers have not adopted a system and are eligible for Medicare reimbursements, their reimbursements will be reduced by 1 percent in 2015, rising to 4 percent in 2018.

“We look forward to advancing an integrated platform of services across the state and making Michigan a leader in the nationwide move to health information exchange and improved health status,” added Patrick O’Hare, chairman of the Michigan Health Connect board of directors, in a statement.

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