Hackensack Meridian Health and Carrier Clinic have made their merger official with the new year, formally announcing their partnership Thursday.
The two had made the decision to merge in August, and ROI-NJ first reported the January announcement last month. The merger formally went into effect Thursday.
“We are writing a new chapter for the treatment of mental illness and substance use disorder as we integrate Carrier’s proven services into our network’s robust behavioral health care,” Robert Garrett, Hackensack Meridian’s CEO, said in a prepared statement. “We must truly integrate behavioral health into health care and expand treatment options as our state battles an opioid epidemic that has claimed too many lives and devastated so many families.”
In a news release, Hackensack Meridian and Carrier said the merger will lead to additional treatment options, including new addiction treatment centers in New Jersey, behavioral health services at urgent care centers and a $25 million update to Carrier’s Belle Mead headquarters campus.
“This plan will create exceptional, comprehensive care at a time of great need for expanded, enhanced and innovative behavioral health services,” Donald Parker, Carrier’s president, said in a statement.
The agreement gives Edison-based Hackensack Meridian 17 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations and physician offices.
