MUSC Health purchases Palmetto Primary Care Physicians for $111 million

MUSC Health has purchased all membership interests in Palmetto Primary Care Physicians with a price tag of $111 million.

The acquisition was announced following a meeting with the Medical University Hospital Authority Board of Trustees.

With the acquisition, the practice will be a not-for-profit organization for MUSC Health members, according to a news release.

“South Carolina faces a significant shortage of primary care physicians, and strengthening access to high‑quality, community‑based primary care is essential to MUSC Health’s mission,” Dr. Patrick Cawley, CEO of MUSC Health and executive vice president for Health Affairs for the university, said in the release. “We have worked closely for years with PPCP’s outstanding providers, and their proven value‑based care model makes them an ideal partner. Together, we will expand access, improve outcomes, support the next generation of clinicians through enhanced training opportunities and grow research and innovation.”

PPCP includes 31 physicians, 95 practitioners and 40 medical practices, which include physical therapy, urgent care and other specialty clinics in the Lowcountry, Midlands and Myrtle Beach, according to the release.

The organization has been in operation since 1996. The release said the purchase is intended to improve MUSC’s primary care capacity with a rising patient demand in the state.

“This transaction ensures long‑term stability for our physicians, specialists and staff while allowing us to expand the services our communities rely on,” Dr. Mark Redwine, president of the PPCP board, said in the release. “Joining MUSC Health provides the scale, infrastructure and academic partnership needed to expand access and deliver even stronger value‑based care. We are very excited about this partnership and believe it will greatly benefit our patients and enhance our care delivery system.”