Maryland-based cloud vendor Inovalon has announced its intent to acquire the ABILITY Network in a deal valued at $1.2 billion.

Adding Minneapolis-based ABILITY to its repertoire, the company says, will allow it to “integrate vertically,” and provide long-term care and other healthcare providers with a full set of services to pursue value-based care, the companies said in an announcement.

ABILITY, for one, is an IT company that helps providers and payers to smooth out the administrative and clinical complexities in care. It counts more than 44,000 facilities as customers. Inovalon, meanwhile, provides cloud-based platforms to help providers move toward value-based care through data analytics.

“This will be an industry-leading combination, resulting in the creation of a vertically integrated leader in cloud-based enablement of data-driven, value-based care,” Keith Dunleavy, M.D., CEO and chairman Inovalon’s board, said in the announcement. “The addition of ABILITY’s innovative platform-based applications, extensive provider client base and connectivity, and efficient, high-volume distribution channel will enable Inovalon to deliver increasingly differentiated value to both ABILITY’s provider customers and Inovalon’s established client base.”

The transaction is expected to close in April.