UMass Memorial Health Care has filed paperwork opposing Mass General Brigham’s planned outpatient facility in Westborough, saying the Somerville-based health network hasn’t demonstrated a need for the new medical office.
Such a need is part of a state regulatory review process, which is now underway by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
UMass Memorial, which submitted its official opposition to the state in mid-February, said Mass General Brigham wrongly states the areas where it wants to build outpatient facilities aren’t in the primary service areas of a community hospital. Milford Regional Medical Center’s service area includes Westborough, UMass Memorial said.
The Westborough site would also be two towns over from Marlborough Hospital, which is part of the UMass Memorial system. Milford Regional hasn’t submitted its own formal opposition to the plan and said it wouldn’t oppose the plan.
UMass Memorial, which is headquartered in Worcester, is requesting Mass General Brigham’s plans either be withdrawn or that an independent cost analysis be performed to determine whether the planned facility would help keep healthcare costs affordable in the state.
Mass General Brigham’s patient costs are generally the highest among large healthcare systems in Massachusetts, according to the state’s Center for Health Information and Analysis.
Mass General Brigham didn’t respond to a request for comment on UMass Memorial’s opposition.
Mass General Brigham submitted plans to the state for review in January. In addition to the planned outpatient site at 1400 W. Park Drive in Westborough, the health network is also planning to build others in Woburn and Salem, N.H., and expand its outpatient site in Westwood. Each site will offer outpatient surgery, primary care, behavioral health and specialty care such as orthopedics, eurology, ophthalmology and neurology.
The Department of Public Health plans to hold public hearings on the proposals this spring.
Mass General Brigham, formerly known as Partners HealthCare and the state’s largest healthcare system, hasn’t indicated when it plans to open the new facilities.
