Baylor merges with Scott & White

A $90 million patient tower with 40 new beds that opened this summer brings the total bed count to 300. A new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a cardiovascular center also were among the improvements.

Asked about the possibility of layoffs at any of the sites as a result of the merger, Allison said, "I don't see anything immediately," adding: "As we go forward, efficiencies will need to be evaluated."

He said that insurance showing either Baylor or Scott & White as in-network will work at the newly merged health care system.

Allison said the combined entity intends to create a new health care delivery model based on "population health management—focus on how you care for that population to improve the health of that population."

The goal, he said, is to offer quality care at an affordable price.

A board of 16 trustees with an equal number of representatives will represent the new system.

Robert Pryor, president and CEO of Scott & White Healthcare is president, COO and chief medical officer for the merged system, which will have its information technology and human resources departments in Temple.

The corporate headquarters will be in Dallas.

Baylor is a faith-based not-for-profit organization that had $4.1 billion in operating revenue in 2012, according to the statement. Scott & White, established in 1897 in Temple, is a nonprofit collaborative health care system. Its 2012 operating revenues were $2 billion.

To learn more, visit baylorscottandwhite.com.