Gundersen Health Plan and Unity Health Plans Insurance merger approved

Unity Health Plans Insurance Corporation (Unity) and Gundersen Health Plan (GHP) have announced the merger structure and top executive team of the combined organization.

The merger combines the two health plans, not the health systems with whom they are affiliated. Both health plans have a long presence in their local markets.  Under the new structure, Unity and GHP will be co-owned by UW Health and Gundersen Health System. The combined entity will serve members throughout southern and western Wisconsin, and parts of Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. The new size, range of products and expanded geography enhances the companies' ability to leverage best products and practices, and grow beyond current service areas.

The combined organization serves approximately 269,000 members. Customers will continue to be served from existing health plan offices located in Middleton, Onalaska and Sauk City, Wisconsin. Customers should continue to contact their respective health plan.

The Boards of Directors named a new management team, which represents leadership from multiple locations and is representative of leaders from both GHP and Unity. This executive team will operate GHP, Unity and QuartzSM. Terry Bolz was named the President and CEO and Gary Lenth, MD, was named the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Executive Vice President of the companies.  

Previous story:
Gundersen Health Plan and Unity Health Plans Insurance Corporation announced today that the two companies have closed a merger agreement.

Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the Agreements after recently clearing the regulatory process. 

Gundersen Health Plan, a subsidiary of Gundersen Health System, and Unity Health Insurance, an affiliate of UW Health, will be operated by a consolidated management team, with exciting changes that will benefit our members and customers to be announced in the future.  As a consolidated organization, customers will continue to be serviced from existing health plan offices located in Middleton, Onalaska and Sauk City, Wisconsin. Customers should call their respective health plan as they do today. 

About Gundersen Health Plan
Founded in 1995, and with more than 83,000 members in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, Gundersen Health Plan is a non-profit subsidiary of Gundersen Health System. With an extensive provider network, Gundersen Health Plan offers a variety of plans, including its five-star-rated Senior Preferred HMO, to meet the needs of the communities they serve. More online: gundersenhealthplan.org

About Unity Health Plans Insurance Corporation
Formed in 1994, Unity Health Plans Insurance Corporation, an affiliate of UW Health, provides community-based managed care products and services to more than 186,000 members throughout 21 counties in southwestern Wisconsin. Unity Health Insurance focuses on community-based health care and direct access to UW Health, a world-class academic medical center. More online: unityhealth.com