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Franciscan Alliance, a multi-state health care system, announced today that it will consolidate its physician billing operations to a new facility in Greenwood, adding up to 84 new jobs by 2015.
The Mishawaka-based Catholic health care system plans to invest $8.3 million to purchase, remodel, and equip a 96,505 square-foot office building located at 1040 Sierra Drive that will house all physician billing operations for the organization's 13 hospitals in Indiana and Illinois.
"Our low-tax, business friendly environment led Franciscan Alliance to choose Indiana over Illinois for this new center and the high-wage positions that come with it. Projects like this are highly competitive so we'll keep working to ensure our state stands out against the competition and is the most attractive place for business," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Franciscan Alliance, formerly known as the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, employs 18,200 associates and more than 550 physicians throughout its health care network. The company plans to begin hiring additional management and business operation personnel in April as facility improvements are made at the site.
"One of our Franciscan Values is 'Christian Stewardship' of resources, whether they are our resources or those of our communities. Over the last 30 years, Franciscan has standardized and centralized a large number of back office functions designed to reduce healthcare costs as well as allow our health centers to focus on providing high quality, patient-centered care. We are excited about the developmental opportunities the Franciscan Ambulatory Business Office will offer our new coworkers and working with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to make this a reality," said Jennifer Marion, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Franciscan Alliance.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Franciscan Alliance up to $700,000 in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. The Johnson County Development Corporation coordinated local support for the project.
"Once again, a company has chosen Greenwood because it is a great place to grow their business and employees to raise their families. Our success in the health care industry speaks for itself and we are proud to welcome Franciscan to Greenwood," said Mayor Charles Henderson.
Franciscan Alliance is the second major health care network to consolidate operations in Central Indiana in just a few months. In October, Ascension Health unveiled plans to locate a $10.9 million professional service center on the northwest side of Indianapolis and create up to 500 new jobs by 2013.
About Franciscan Alliance
Franciscan Alliance is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 13 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan Alliance includes: Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point, Ind.; Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health - Crawfordsville, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health - Lafayette East, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health - Lafayette Central, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health - Beech Grove, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health - Indianapolis, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health - Mooresville, Ind.; Franciscan St. James Health - Chicago Heights, Ill.; Franciscan St. James Health - Olympia Fields, Ill.; Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, Ind.; Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Dyer, Ind.; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC - Munster, Ind.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
