It’s going to take Heart of America Medical Center and Johnson Clinic officials a few more weeks for the integration process to be completed.

Jeff Lingerfelt, HAMC CEO said last week there area still a few details to work through that just simply won’t be finished by April 1 – the initial target date.

“Our goal is for May 1 now,’ Lingerfelt said. “We feel five more weeks of time will enable us to reach that date.”

Consolidating the two health care facilities became a reality last September when the two entities formally agreed to begin integration. Hospital and clinic administrators have been working with a Minneapolis consulting firm on the merger over the past seven months.

Officials believe this move will be a long term benefit to sustaining quality health care services for the community and region. The integration will also help recoup more Medicare reimbursements for services and provide a more attractive partnership to recruit physicians and other health care personnel.