CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE WEST: Looking To Buy UniHealth’s PPM Arm
Catholic Healthcare West and UniHealth are heading back to the negotiating table, according to sources who say that UniHealth is aiming to unload "some of its extensive medical group holdings." On the heels of CHW's recent purchase of eight UniHealth hospitals, Modern Healthcare reports that UniHealth's physician management arm is up for grabs. UniMed Management Co. contracts with 6,500 physicians and nine medical groups and "has been on the block for more than a year, with no takers." Although both organizations declined comment, Steve Valentine of the El Segundo-based consulting firm Camden Group said that CHW will court UniHealth for its medical groups near CHW's Los Angeles-area hospitals, such as Facey Medical Foundation in San Fernando Valley and Harriman Jones Medical Group in Long Beach. Valentine's speculations were confirmed by other sources, but even he "gave CHW only a 'one in three chance' of closing a deal," given the diminishing "allure of owning or managing medical groups" (Shinkman, 12/12-12/28 issue).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.