Extra Point: Unexpected marriages of medical practices are continuing to emerge within the healthcare industry. The latest union, which took place in Missouri, is a merger of Bolivar OB/GYN, Citizen’s Memorial Hospital and—wait for it—Butterfield Park Pediatrics. Although it sounds like a page out of Prince Humperdinck and Buttercup’s odd coupling in The Princess Bride, the combination of pediatrics and women’s health is likely an emerging trend. It is safe to anticipate an expansion of health system service lines, and for more Medicaid and commercial insurers to redesign payment to favor these double-specialty practices. The amount of ‘episodes of care’ and clinical efficiencies alone could be significant—just think about an encounter involving a child potentially on the autism spectrum, or a new mom who no longer needs to shuffle between OB and pediatrics postpartum. A dental practice out West is taking note of the potential effectiveness of double-specialty practices and is in communication with an allergy and asthma clinic about a merger, which could help the Medicaid population. The healthcare marriage bug is likely to make its way into home health, too. Will an Instacart join with a home care agency? Will a physical therapy clinic merge with an outpatient therapy group and a telehealth business? If past is prologue, then yes. My own marriage is proof that unions, even in the healthcare industry, thrive on differences. At first, a short Italian marrying a taller Irish Catholic, and a Yankee fan marrying a Red Sox fan appeared absurd. However, after 20 years tomorrow, July 3rd—in sickness and in health—it’s the best thing I’ve got. My dad used to say you ought to be able to re-contract every five years, so I guess I could ask for a fee-for-service allowance every time I bring my wife Bridget water, or a greater share of the apple pie, and for risking my life on the wobbly ladder, but there are a zillion more things she does, or puts up with. This is all to say that some partnerships may seem odd at first, but that’s just the surface. Here is my essay to Bridget back in 2012 on winning and losing in marriage. Perhaps a good lesson in here for those of us seeking new partners in healthcare: Click here.
