North Memorial Health is continuing its push into primary care with the acquisition this week of a medical practice with three clinics in the north metro.
The Robbinsdale-based health system did not disclose a final purchase price, but reported in a financial statement earlier this year a tentative agreement to purchase Multicare Associates for $5.3 million.
Multicare stood out as one of the last independent primary care practices with multiple locations in the Twin Cities, where most clinics are controlled by large hospital-based health care systems.
North Memorial is best known for its large medical center in Robbinsdale and co-ownership of Maple Grove Hospital. In addition, the health system now operates a network of 18 primary care clinics including the three Multicare locations plus another three clinics opened by North Memorial over the past three years.
"We really want to provide access to our customers in a way that is easy and convenient for them," said Jennifer Close, the president and chief ambulatory officer at North Memorial Health. "We've had a long-term relationship with Multicare."
The medical practice includes locations in Blaine, Fridley and Roseville. In Blaine, Multicare and North Memorial jointly operated an urgent care center.
Multicare has about 16 physicians and a similar number of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, said Matt Brandt, the practice's chief executive. For years, Multicare has championed the cause of independent physician practices in the face of ever-increasing consolidation of clinics and hospitals in large health systems, Brandt said.
The doctors at Multicare wanted to remain independent, Brandt said, but found themselves up against broader economic trends in health care that promote consolidation. Much like the doctors at Multicare, North Memorial is committed to providing cost-effective care, he said.
