A new comprehensive primary care clinic, French Health Center, has opened at French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif., although the clinic is not owned or operated by the hospital, according to a San Luis Obispo Tribune report.
California state law prohibits hospitals from employing physicians or physician groups, although hospital-based physicians can have contracts with hospitals.
French Health Center physicians do not have to send patients to French Hospital, nor does French Hospital have to refer patients to the clinic, but the two groups are under an affiliation to make it easier for clinic patients to access the hospital's services, according to the report.
Marian Community Clinics owns French Health Center, and San Francisco-based Catholic Healthcare West owns both Marian Community Clinics and French Hospital.
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California state law prohibits hospitals from employing physicians or physician groups, although hospital-based physicians can have contracts with hospitals.
French Health Center physicians do not have to send patients to French Hospital, nor does French Hospital have to refer patients to the clinic, but the two groups are under an affiliation to make it easier for clinic patients to access the hospital's services, according to the report.
Marian Community Clinics owns French Health Center, and San Francisco-based Catholic Healthcare West owns both Marian Community Clinics and French Hospital.
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