Mercy, Wellvana Partner on Clinically Integrated Network

Chesterfield, Mo.-based Mercy, one of the 15 largest U.S. health systems with 55 hospitals across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, is partnering with physician enablement company Wellvana to expand the reach of its value-based care programs. 

The partners want independent physicians and advanced practice providers to take part in a clinically integrated network that combines non-profit Catholic Mercy’s population health infrastructure with Wellvana’s high-touch enablement platform. The arrangement will deploy data-driven insights, care coordination resources and practice-level support for participating physicians.

Many independent practices feel pressure to merge with larger health systems, but the clinically integrated network model offer an alternative by providing help with data and care coordination, while allowing practices to remain independent. 

The organizations seek to expand access to value-based care programs for more communities in Mercy’s service area and will extend Mercy’s digital and virtual services to help independent physicians keep their communities healthy. Wellvana’s support for physicians and advanced practice providers includes electronic medical record integration, clinical and operational care teams, and help with alternative payment models.

In 2024, Wellvana’s ACO participants generated over $337 million in savings to Medicare, and the company says that its flagship ACO achieved more savings than any other MSSP ACO in the nation.

In March 2025, Wellvana acquired the MSSP program business of CVS Accountable Care, part of CVS Health, in an all-stock transaction, giving CVS Health a strategic minority investment in Wellvana. 

“We believe the future of healthcare belongs to models that reward positive health outcomes through partnership,” said Steve Mackin, Mercy president and CEO, in a statement. “By teaming up with Wellvana, we’re giving even more physicians the tools and support they need to provide more proactive, coordinated care, helping to expand access to the kind of care that aims to keep patients healthy and out of the hospital. When we do that well, patients, doctors and communities all win.”

Mercy and Wellvana said they will focus on improving patient outcomes and reducing the administrative burden for independent providers, helping them remain financially viable.

“Value-based care is about rethinking what’s possible in healthcare. It takes dedication and partnership,” said Susan Diamond, Wellvana CEO, in a statement. “Mercy has built one of the nation’s most respected systems, and together we’re creating sustainable paths for independent providers to see the rewards of accountable care. The more we grow participation in value-based care, the more patients and communities benefit from a better, more connected health experience.”

Diamond was recently named CEO at Wellvana. Before joining the company, she spent nearly two decades at Humana, where she held executive leadership roles including Enterprise CFO, President of Home Solutions and Senior Vice President of Medicare.