Pinnacle Medical Group and United Family Care to Merge
March 03, 2014
Pinnacle Medical Group and United Family Care signed an agreement to merge the physician groups as of May 1, 2014. The two groups are very similar: each with approximately 10 primary care physicians, urgent care centers and locations in San Bernardino, Rialto and Fontana.
"We are excited that our two medical groups of dedicated staff and physicians are coming together to create an even stronger, high quality medical group. It is great for our patients, staff, and our physicians. Together we will be the largest primary medical group in the communities we serve, opening doors of new opportunity and possibility,” said Dr. J. Duc Nguyen, President of United Family Care.
EPIC Management, LP, the health care management company for Pinnacle and nine other Inland Empire physician groups and hospitals, has been contracted to handle certain business operations including health care contracting for the merged group.
United Family Care patients will have access to additional health insurance plans already contracted with Pinnacle Medical Group including Humana, Aetna Senior, Blue Shield 65+ and HealthNet Senior plans. In addition, people with an insurance plan that has a “select or narrow physician network” will be able to choose any Pinnacle or United doctor, opening access to more physicians and facilities. All of the doctors will also accept patients who purchased Anthem Blue Cross or HealthNet insurances through Covered California, the new state health marketplace. Patients served by other health plans already accepted by both groups will be available after the merger.
Patients will have access to expanded services as a result of the merger. Pinnacle Medical Group currently has Urgent Care Centers in Rialto and Yucaipa, and United Family Care has an Urgent Care Center in Fontana. Patients will be able to choose from any of the three urgent care centers that are open every day of the year. There will also be more access to on-site services including digital x-ray, mammograms, pharmacies and laboratory drawing.
The Nurse Advice Hotline currently utilized by Pinnacle patients will be offered to all of the United patients as well, who will be able to call for medical advice anytime their doctors’ offices are closed including nights, weekends and holidays.
United Family Care offices will also install the same Electronic Medical Record system currently used at Pinnacle Medical Group after the merger. Patients will enjoy e-prescribing and a secure portal where patients will be able to login to message their doctor, check test results and more.
For more information about the groups, physicians or Pinnacle’s additional locations in Rancho Cucamonga and Yucaipa, visit www.pinnaclemedical.com or www.unitedfamilycare.com.