During a virtual press conference Thursday afternoon, SCL Health and Intermountain Health stated that they are working to merge the two companies.

“We're thrilled to announce that Intermountain Healthcare and SCL Health, two of the premier leading healthcare not for profit health care organizations, have signed a letter of intent to merge,” said Dr. Mark Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare.

Intermountain Health is a Utah based company that has 24 hospitals, including "virtual hospitals."

That online aspect is something that SCL Health hopes will benefit Montana.

“We don't expect anything to impact (our hospitals) at all, other than to maybe get more access," said Linda Jumonville, president and CEO of SCL Health. "Innovative approaches -- telehealth and digital and all of that, with respect to our system service."

The merge is expected to be completed by 2022.

One of the concerns mentioned during the news conference was religious affiliation.

Intermountain Health is founded by the Church of Latter-Day Saints.

SCL Health is founded by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, a catholic group.

Both say that they will not be changing -- or mingling -- any of the religious aspects of their health care facilities.

Pricing, policies and cost changes are not determined yet but both are adamant that this merger will be a benefit to the communities.