Three Maine practices exploring merger

Three Maine independent physician practices—OA-Centers for Orthopaedics, Central Maine Orthopaedics and Spectrum Medical Group—have signed a letter of intent to explore merging their practices.

“Innovative and proactive leadership is imperative in this uncertain and rapidly changing healthcare landscape,” John Wipfler, CEO of OA, said in a news release. “Our decision to integrate operations will provide opportunities to improve efficiency, ensure our ability to remain independent and maintain our focus on patient-centered care.”

The merger, which is expected to be completed by year-end, would not affect patients' relationships with their doctors or daily interactions with each of the practices, according to the release. Direct effects would include the development of an orthopedics division at Spectrum and an increase in its physician staff from about 170 to 200.

Though OA, Central Maine Orthopaedics and Spectrum would continue to remain independent, representatives from OA and Central Maine would also serve on Spectrum's board of directors.

“Ultimately, an independently owned practice provides both direct and indirect benefits to patients,” Dr. Douglas Brown, president of OA, said in the release. “Independent practices offer physicians a collaborative work environment and an increased ability to directly influence initiatives that affect patient care.”

This consolidation would not mark the first time that Spectrum and OA have collaborated. In 2011, the two joined forces with two other independently owned physician practices to create Specialty Solutions, an association of independent physician practices dedicated to improving healthcare efficiency and quality while simultaneously reducing costs. The association has since grown to include 10 practices.

“We are thrilled about this opportunity with OA and CMO,” Dr. Daniel Landry, president of Spectrum, said in the release. “Our collaboration would allow us all to more efficiently achieve our collective goal of providing high quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care.”

OA, based in Portland, is the state's largest orthopedic physician practice with 16 physicians, 12 physician assistants and 30 physical therapists at four locations. CMO, located in Auburn, includes 12 physicians offering services for orthopedic conditions and sports injuries.

Spectrum, in Portland, is made up of a multidisciplinary team, including more than 170 physicians serving patients in the areas of anesthesiology, critical care, diagnostic and interventional radiology, neurology, pathology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, radiation oncology and surgery.