National and independent primary care provider One Medical has signed a partnership with Mount Sinai Health System.
The deal makes Mount Sinai the preferred healthcare system partner of One Medical in the local market. Between the agreement and a $350 million investment from the Carlyle Group late last year, One Medical plans to double its presence in New York City.
The provider has nine locations in the city and will start opening others later this year, said Amir Dan Rubin, its president and CEO.
"We are delivering care for real life," he said, referring to his business model. When people aren't feeling well, they want a primary care appointment the same or next day convenient to where they live, work, travel or even "click," he said.
One Medical focuses on providing immediate access to care. If there is quality and value in healthcare upstream—in primary care—serious and costly conditions, tests and emergency department visits can be avoided downstream, Rubin said.
"We are all in an environment, particularly in New York, where we understand the importance of a strong, high-quality primary care network," said Dr. Arthur Klein, president of Mount Sinai Health Network. "The alignment with One Medical takes us on that journey more rapidly."
He said One Medical would be part of Mount Sinai's clinically integrated network of physicians, which is concentrated on the transition to value-based payments.
Along with greater access, One Medical's focus includes longer patient appointments—about 30 minutes, on average—along with salaried physicians and offices that resemble living rooms rather than clinical settings.
Klein said he and others in the Mount Sinai leadership were impressed by One Medical's ability to establish beautiful primary care offices and recruit physicians, as well as its existing and planned presence in neighborhoods important to the health system.
When patients do need specialty care, One Medical sees its partnership with Mount Sinai as a way to assure that its members receive priority access and short wait times for appointments. The partners will share electronic health records to better coordinate care.
In addition, One Medical was attracted to Mount Sinai's specialty in academic research, particularly in managing chronic conditions, Rubin said.
One Medical's members pay an annual fee of about $200. Services can be billed through their insurance.
The company is in eight markets across the country and expects to be in three more soon.
"One Medical plans NYC expansion with Mount Sinai deal" originally appeared in Crain's New York Business.
