Boston-based Partners HealthCare and Wellesley, Mass.-based health insurer Harvard Pilgrim Health Care are negotiating a possible merger behind closed doors, The Boston Globe reports.
Here are five things to know about the negotiations.
1. The possible tie-up would link Massachusetts' largest physician and hospital network with a 1.2 million-member payer.
2. Partners and Harvard Pilgrim leaders have been talking about a potential deal for several months, people familiar with the matter told the Globe. Among potential transactions is Partners acquiring Harvard Pilgrim, though it's possible talks will end without a deal.
3. In a state where lawmakers are exploring several efforts to control medical costs, it is likely Partners and Harvard Pilgrim would face scrutiny if they move forward with a deal, according to the report.
4. Partners spokesperson Rich Copp told the Globe, "Partners HealthCare is constantly exploring new partnerships and relationships with other providers and insurers with the goal of improving the delivery of healthcare to patients both locally and around the world. Harvard Pilgrim is certainly among those organizations."
5. In January 2018, Partners entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Providence, R.I.-based Care New England. A study commissioned by Rhode Island and obtained by WPRI found the proposed deal could raise health insurance premiums in Rhode Island.
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