Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Robbinsdale, Minn.-based North Memorial Health will end joint ownership of 25 primary, specialty and hospice care clinics.
According to a May 5 news release from North Memorial Health, the system will regain BCBS Minnesota's 49 percent ownership share in the clinics. The dissolution of the venture will not impact patients' access to the clinics, according to the release.
BCBS Minnesota and North Memorial Health launched the joint venture, Blaze Health, in 2020.
In the news release, North Memorial Health CEO J. Kevin Croston, MD, said the venture was "born and launched from a pre-pandemic perspective."
"Just a few months later, the industry changed in ways that no one could have anticipated. I truly appreciate the collaboration with Blue Cross, both in our response to the pandemic and the work that went into the [joint venture]" Dr. Croston said. "I am confident we can best deliver on current and future priorities by continuing to collaborate and innovate through other approaches."