Intermountain's Saltzer Health to sell or close on March 29

Photo: Courtesy of Intermountain

Intermountain-owned Saltzer Health in Idaho will close on March 29 if no buyer is found. The difficult decision to sell or close the multispecialty physician group is due to the ongoing financial and economic challenges facing health institutions nationwide, Saltzer said in a statement.

Saltzer, located in Idaho, is in active negotiations with other healthcare companies that may be interested in purchasing some operations to preserve access to care and said it is optimistic a sale can be achieved. 

If discussions are successful, employees at medical operations included in the sale may have the opportunity to continue their employment with the new organization, Saltzer said.

Saltzer Health offers primary care, urgent care and other services in the Treasure Valley region of Idaho.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Like many health systems across the country, Saltzer said it has faced significant financial pressures as the rising cost of providing care, driven by inflation, since the pandemic. 

Saltzer leaders said vital contracts and other market relationships did not progress as had been hoped for, making it financially challenging.

Saltzer will be working with caregivers and their patients during this transition to help with continuity of care, the provider said. Patients will be contacted and provided information about their options. 

An estimated 100,000 patients would be affected by the closure, according to the Idaho Statesman.

THE LARGER TREND

Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah, bought Saltzer in 2020, according to Boise.dev. At the time of the sale, Saltzer employed 80 physicians and providers and served 102,000 patients annually at eight locations in Canyon and Ada counties, providing primary, specialty and urgent care. 

The company had two clinics and a medical office complex under construction.
 

Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org