What's Happening?
Intermountain Health is withdrawing from its joint ownership and operation of Trinsic, a clinically integrated network established in 2023 with UCHealth. This decision was communicated to Colorado’s Department of Labor in a regulatory notice. Trinsic was formed
to accelerate value-based care by combining the separate care networks of both non-profit organizations, facilitating patient coordination and information sharing among physicians, clinics, and hospitals. The network, which included over 1,000 primary care clinicians and 17 hospitals, served more than 400,000 patients in 2024 and contracted with various commercial and Medicare Advantage plans. Intermountain Health's operating unit for Trinsic is scheduled to close on December 4, with UCHealth assuming full operations after December 7. This transition will result in the termination of 117 Intermountain employees associated with Trinsic, though most are expected to transition to roles at UCHealth, subject to UCHealth's employment processes. The affected roles include clinical and non-clinical care coordinators, nurse care managers, and positions in IT, population health, and administration. Neither company has publicly disclosed the specific reasons for Intermountain's reduced participation or the terms of the full ownership transfer to UCHealth.
Why It's Important?
This shift in the Trinsic clinically integrated network has significant implications for healthcare delivery and employment in Colorado. The dissolution of the joint venture means a major change in how value-based care initiatives are pursued by two prominent health systems. For patients, the continuity of care is a primary concern, although both Intermountain Health and UCHealth have stated their commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. The employment of 117 individuals is directly impacted, with the expectation that most will find new roles within UCHealth, highlighting the fluidity of the healthcare job market during organizational restructuring. For the broader healthcare industry, this event underscores the complexities and potential challenges in maintaining joint ventures, even those aimed at improving care coordination and efficiency. UCHealth, as Colorado's largest health system, will now fully absorb the operations of a network that served a substantial patient population, potentially consolidating its market influence. Intermountain Health, based in Utah, continues to adjust its footprint, as evidenced by its plans to form another joint venture in the Denver area with AdventHealth.
What's Next?
Intermountain Health's Trinsic operating unit is slated to close on December 4, with UCHealth taking over full operations of the clinically integrated network after December 7. The first group of Intermountain employees affected by this change will formally depart on December 9. The primary focus for both organizations in the immediate future will be to ensure a seamless transition for patients and to facilitate the transfer of affected employees to UCHealth. While most employees are expected to move to UCHealth, their employment is contingent on UCHealth's standard hiring procedures. Some employees may also opt to remain with Intermountain Health in different capacities. The long-term implications for Trinsic under UCHealth's sole ownership will involve continued efforts to manage patient coordination and information sharing, as well as maintaining existing contracts with commercial and Medicare Advantage plans. The healthcare landscape in Colorado will likely see UCHealth further solidify its position as it integrates Trinsic fully into its operations, while Intermountain Health will continue to focus on its broader multi-state strategy, including its new joint venture with AdventHealth.
Beyond the Headlines
The decision by Intermountain Health to step back from the Trinsic joint venture with UCHealth highlights the inherent challenges and evolving dynamics within value-based care models. While such collaborations are often lauded for their potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs, their long-term sustainability can be complex. The lack of disclosed reasons for Intermountain's withdrawal suggests potential underlying operational, financial, or strategic misalignments that can arise even between non-profit entities. This event could prompt other healthcare systems to re-evaluate the structure and governance of their own clinically integrated networks and joint ventures, emphasizing the need for clear objectives, robust communication, and adaptable frameworks. Furthermore, the impact on the 117 employees, despite the expectation of re-employment, underscores the human element in corporate restructuring and the importance of transparent communication and support during such transitions. This situation also reflects the ongoing consolidation and strategic realignments within the U.S. healthcare sector, as large systems continually adjust their market presence and service delivery models to optimize efficiency and competitiveness.
