Integration & Physician Issues

Many hospital and health systems are creating their own physician group practices in order to better move forward with coordinated, accountable care under healthcare reform. However, building and running a successful physician group practice post-reform presents its own unique challenges.Huron…

Berkshire Health Systems in Pittsfield, Mass., has affiliated with Williamstown (Mass.) Medical Partners, a group with 19 full- and part-time physicians and mid-level providers, according to a report by iBerkshires.

Kansas City, Mo.-based HCA Midwest Health System's multispecialty physician group, Midwest Physicians, has affiliated with College Park Family Care Center, a 60-physician group in Johnson County, Kan.

St. Luke's Iowa Health System in Sioux City, Iowa, has announced a partnership agreement with Cardiovascular Associates, an 11-physician group in Sioux City, which took effect Jan. 1.

Five independent physician practices have joined the newly formed St. Peter's Health Partners Medical Associates, a physician-governed group that is a full affiliate corporation of St. Peter's Health Partners in Albany, N.Y.

St. James Healthcare in Butte, Mont., has acquired the Rocky Mountain Clinic, also in Butte, according to a Montana Standard report.

Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor announced that it has completed an agreement with Northeast Cardiology Associates in Bangor, Maine, to integrate the cardiology practice into its heart center.

San Francisco-based Dignity Health's physician network, the Southern California Integrated Care Network, has added a new local chapter in Ventura County, Calif., according to a Ventura County Star report.

Having good relationships with physicians is paramount for hospitals, especially if they are implementing coordinated, accountable care. However, physicians have brought up several issues they have with hospitals that can deteriorate that all-important relationship.Rochell Pierce, vice president of physician relationship…

Albany, N.Y.-based St. Peter's Health Partners is expected to acquire Prime Care Physicians, an 82-physician group, in the next week, according to a Times Union report.