Physician departures continue at Eugene-based Oregon Medical Group, a practice acquired by Optum in 2020, Lookout Eugene-Springfield reported July 28.
Since the acquisition, patients have reportedly received notifications that their physicians are leaving, whether it be for retirement, personal reasons or without explanation. Most recently, on July 14, the group announced the departure of several OB-GYNs.
In March 2024, the practice also dropped some patients due to a physician shortage, following the exit of at least 32 physicians.
Oregon Medical Group, originally a physician-owned group, has not disclosed how many physicians have left or how many patients have been affected. Optum has also declined to provide estimates on the number of departure notices sent this year.
The staffing concerns come amid broader scrutiny of corporate influence in healthcare in the state. In June, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill imposing the country’s strictest limits on corporate control of medical practices. The new law requires physicians to own at least 51% of most practices and bans noncompete clauses that restrict physician mobility. The law includes a three-year transition period.
Optum told Lookout Eugene-Springfield it considers its clinics physician-led and continues to invest in long-term care delivery. Spokesperson Karrie Spitzer said the company is increasing recruitment, adding new clinicians, expanding telehealth and opening new services like urgent care in Eugene.
“To help address the nationwide clinician shortage, specifically as it relates to Oregon, Optum has been investing resources to support Oregon Medical Group’s recruitment of physicians and advanced practice clinicians and are onboarding a substantial number of clinicians this year. We are also increasing access for Oregon patients through telehealth and opening new service lines, such as our new urgent care in Eugene, greatly expanding care options for the community. Whenever physicians depart, we try to offer patients other options within OMG or cooperate with their transition to another community provider, consistent with state law,” the statement reads.
Becker’s has reached out to Optum and will update this story if more information becomes available.
