FamilyCare Medical Group affiliates with Molina Healthcare subsidiaries

Syracuse–based FamilyCare Medical Group, PC (FCMG) has affliated with two wholly owned subsidiaries of Long Beach, California–based Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: MOH).

The two subsidiaries are Molina Healthcare of New York and Molina Medical Group.

As part of the agreement, Molina will provide FCMG with “strategic” support to “improve” access to care for the Medicaid customers and improve quality for “this underserved population” in the greater Syracuse market, according to a Molina news release.

With this affiliation, Molina Healthcare of New York members will gain access to FCMG’s “specialty” services.

In turn, Molina will “leverage” national recruiting events to benefit both parties, explore the possibility of creating a transportation system that could potentially take members to primary-care appointments, and “strengthen” clinical programs that would support both groups.

The partnership with FamilyCare will enable Molina to offer “even more” resources to the members it serves in the Central New York region, Colleen Schmidt, president of Molina Healthcare of New York, contended in the company’s release.

“We’re excited to be introducing our clinical operations to the state and we hope to open our first clinic in Central New York by the end of the year,” Carrie Harris-Muller, senior VP of clinical integration and strategic partnerships for Molina Healthcare, added. “This partnership is a great opportunity for us to expand our footprint to one of the top Medicaid markets in the country and to continue to fulfill our mission to provide access to care in underserved communities.”

Molina CEO change

As the subsidiaries begin this relationship with FCMG, the parent company is conducting a search for new CEO.

Molina Healthcare on May 2 announced that Joseph White, the firm’s chief accounting officer, would serve as interim president and CEO, replacing Dr. J. Mario Molina. The company also said White would serve as CFO, replacing John Molina.

Dale Wolf, chairman of the firm’s board of directors, cited Molina Healthcare’s “disappointing financial performance,” hoping the change will “drive profitability through operational improvements,” according to a May 2 news release.

About FCMG

FamilyCare Medical Group is a “multi-specialty” medical group providing medical care throughout Central New York.

Founded in 1996 by 13 family doctors, FCMG doctors and physicians specialize in areas including family medicine, gynecology, cardiology, internal medicine, endocrinology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, infectious diseases/HIV, regenerative spine and musculoskeletal and more.

FCMG has grown to more than 80 physicians and almost 50 nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

It has 40 locations covering Onondaga, Cayuga, and Cortland counties and its physicians are affiliated with Crouse Health Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Auburn Memorial Hospital, and Cortland Memorial Hospital.

About the subsidiaries

Molina Healthcare of New York provides government-funded health care to low-income residents.

Molina on Aug. 1, 2016 announced it had completed its acquisition of Universal American’s Total Care Medicaid plan. Total Care is a prepaid health-services plan that provides health-insurance coverage in New York, according to Molina.

As of December 2016, the company serves about 35,300 members through Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP) and Health & Recovery Plan (HARP) programs. Molina’s service areas include Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, and Tompkins counties.

Molina’s provider network in New York includes 500 primary-care physicians, 3,500 specialist physicians, 400 ancillary services, and 5 hospitals.

Since 1980, Molina Medical clinics have been delivering health care to low-income individuals and families.

Dr. C. David Molina founded the company when he opened his first physician’s office to treat those in need of primary-care services.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com