SSM Health Repositioning as a Fully Integrated System

SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the health needs of communities across the Midwest through a fully integrated health care delivery system with nearly 40,000 employees and 11,000 providers.

With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 290 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, 10 post-acute facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit company (Navitus Health Solutions), a health insurance company (Dean Health Plan) and an accountable care organization.

SSM Health has been moving from a combination of facilities and states to a fully integrated health system. SSM Health has more than doubled in size over the past decade, which introduced variation in systems, processes and even culture.

SSM Health has been focused on strengthening and growing its pharmacy services. The organization recently sold a minority interest in its PBM, Navitus Health Solutions, and its specialty pharmacy subsidiary, Lumicera Health Services to Costco. SSM Health’s objective is to use the investment to help expand its PBM and serve more people.

SSM Health is also an initial investor in Civica Rx, a not-for-profit generic drug company that helps patients by addressing shortages and high prices of lifesaving medications.  

Initial governing members of Civica Rx also included Catholic Health Initiatives, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Providence St. Joseph Health, and Trinity Health. St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO., became the first hospital in the St. Louis region to receive drugs (a delivery of vancomycin) from Civica Rx.

Takeaway: SSM working to expand its PBM, Lumicera Health Services.