In two deals, Intermountain's Saltzer Health finds buyers

Photo: Courtesy of Intermountain

Saint Alphonsus Health System has agreed to acquire an ambulatory surgery center and two urgent care centers from Intermountain's Saltzer Health.

Intermountain announced in January that it would close Saltzer Health in Idaho on March 29 if no buyer was found. 

WHY THIS MATTERS

Saint Alphonsus Health System said it and Saltzer Health have been working collaboratively over the past several months to ensure that services offered at Saltzer's Ten Mile Ambulatory Surgery Center in Meridian, Idaho and the two Saltzer Urgent Care Centers in Meridian and South Nampa, Idaho, remain available to the community.

"Our goal during this challenging process was to ensure that as many medical services as possible continue to operate and serve the healthcare needs of the community," said Jana Huffman, assistant vice president for the Intermountain Medical Group. "We appreciate this collaboration with Saint Alphonsus so that residents in the Treasure Valley will continue to have access to convenient and affordable urgent care and surgery services."

The urgent care centers closed on Friday, March 29, while Saint Alphonsus completes the installation of new IT equipment and an Electronic Medical Record (EMR). They are scheduled to reopen in May.

Patients seeking care at these urgent care centers in the interim are urged to visit other Saint Alphonsus locations. The ambulatory surgery center will continue to operate uninterrupted under Saint Alphonsus ownership.

The agreement between Saint Alphonsus and Saltzer Health provides stability, continued access to these services and continuity of care for the residents of the Treasure Valley community, the health system said.

"We are excited to collaborate with Saltzer Health to continue to provide vital services locally for the residents of our communities and proudly welcome these new providers and colleagues to the Saint Alphonsus family," said Odette Bolano, president and CEO of Trinity Health, West Region, "Working together with our colleagues and providers, patients will experience exceptional and accessible primary and specialty care close to home."

In another deal that keeps Saltzer services ongoing, Intermountain Medical Imaging said it has purchased Saltzer Health Imaging, located at Ten Mile Clinic in Meridian. Positions will be offered to several current Saltzer Health imaging center employees. The imaging center is slated to reopen on April 8.

THE LARGER TREND

Saint Alphonsus is a four-hospital, faith-based Catholic ministry serving Idaho and Oregon, with outreach services to Utah, Montana, and Nevada.

Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah, bought Saltzer in 2020. It announced it was looking for buyers following reports of Saltzer facing ongoing financial and economic challenges, as well as the rising cost of providing care. 
 

Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org