IHA, an independent private-practice group, and Michigan Multispecialty Physicians, a private multispecialty group practice, have agreed to integrate their organizations.

The Ann Arbor, Mich., practices began merger discussions last May aimed at creating one of Michigan's largest multispecialty physician groups. The planned merger would join IHA's 35 primary-care and specialty practices and its more than 310 providers with MMP's network of 54 physicians and five advanced practitioners across multiple specialties and sub-specialties. According to their signed letter of intent, the deal is anticipated to become effective June 30.

“By working off a common clinical infrastructure with shared, best-practice care protocols, a combined IHA and MMP will deliver better, more coordinated care for our patients,” Dr. Mary Durfee, IHA's executive VP and chief medical officer, said in a release.

“The public wants healthcare that is sensible, affordable and responsive, and we intend to provide it,” Dr. Paul Valenstein, MMP's board chairman and pathologist, said in the release.

As a result of the integration, IHA and MMP expect to provide healthcare to more than 340,000 patients in southeast Michigan.