A group led by Memorial Hermann Healthcare System has created a preferred provider organization that allows providers to work together more efficiently.

MHealth Insured was formed by the Houston hospital system along with its physician group, Memorial Hermann Health Network Providers, and UniCare Life & Health Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. (NYSE: WLP).

“Clinical integration involves providers working together in an interdependent fashion so that they can pool infrastructure and resources, and develop, implement and monitor protocols, ‘best practices’ and various other organized processes,” Dr. Doug Ardoin, physician in chief at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, said in a statement. “This enables providers to offer higher quality health care in a more efficient manner than they likely could achieve working independently.

“The result is primary care physicians and specialists of all kinds working more closely together and in a better coordinated fashion.”

MHealth Insured is available to individuals as well as small and large employers.