FPA: Adds 120,000 Members With Acquisitions

      FPA Medical Management Inc. announced today that it has finalized deals to acquire Orange Coast Managed Care Services, Inc. and St. Joseph Medical Corporation, which will add around 120,000 HMO members to FPA's existing California operations. Orange Coast currently manages St. Joseph, which is comprised of the St. Joseph IPA, with approximately 200 primary care and 370 specialty care physicians, and the St. Joseph Medical Group, with 50 employed primary care physicians practicing in nine locations. FPA is a national primary care practice management service that organizes and manages primary care physician practices that contract with managed care networks and other prepaid health plans. FPA Executive Vice President and CFO Steven Lash said, "We are pleased to add Orange Coast and St. Joseph to the FPA network. ... Orange Coast is strategically located in the Orange County, Southern California market, which has a strong managed care presence, and due to its close proximity to our San Diego operations, will allow for a seamless integration and synergies." Charles Madden, CEO and president of Orange Coast, stated, "We are delighted to partner with FPA to continue building our strong physician networks. FPA offers significant opportunities for future growth in the managed care industry such as national payor contracting and management information systems" (FPA release, 1/22).