STAT+: Nonprofit health system raked in $1.1 billion this year from stake in medical billing firm

Bon Secours Mercy Health sold stakes in its in-house billing and collections company, Ensemble Health Partners, to private equity investors seven years ago, but continues to receive substantial payments from its minority position.

This year, the Cincinnati-based system reported $671 million from Ensemble when the company signed a new private equity sponsor, plus a $427 million distribution recorded in February. Together, the payouts top $1.1 billion, exceeding Bon Secours Mercy's operating income so far this year.