Nine primary care practices formerly owned by Falls Church, Va.-based Inova Health System have transitioned to independent ownership, the Washington Business Journal reported Dec. 23.
Inova acquired the practices — part of Fairfax (Va.) Family Practice Centers — in 2020. The transaction brought 12 primary care practices, 150 physicians and 500 staff members into Inova’s network and included a provision for partners to unwind the deal after five years.
This past summer, nine of the 12 practices opted to return to independent practice, though they remain clinically affiliated with Inova.
Before joining Inova, Fairfax Family Practice Centers had a partnership with Arlington, Va.-based Privia Health Group that allowed it to share infrastructure while maintaining clinical autonomy. Privia is no longer involved in Fairfax Family Practice Centers operations, according to the report.
Leaders of Fairfax Family Practice Centers said the decision to return to independent practice will allow for greater clinical and operational flexibility. In a statement to the Washington Business Journal, CEO Frank Mencini called the split with Inova “amicable.”
Craig Cheifetz, MD, president of Inova Primary Care and vice president of corporate health services, echoed this sentiment in a Dec. 26 interview with Becker’s.
“They are still very much part of our service line and our ACO,” Dr. Cheifetz said. “We’re all working on the same challenges in healthcare, and we’re all collaborating to provide the best care to our patients.”
In total, Inova owns 28 traditional primary care offices and is affiliated with about 20 other practices through its ACO, including the nine Fairfax Family Practice Centers locations.
Last year, the system’s more than 300 primary care providers conducted about 1.1 million visits.
