Eric Klein

Eric Klein specializes in physician group, health plan and hospital mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. With a track record of advising on more than 85 hospital projects, 85 health plan projects and numerous major physician services transactions, Klein is highly sought after for his creative solutions and deal-making abilities.

One case Klein led in the past two years was the $8.9 billion acquisition of Summit Health-CityMD by VillageMD. Serving as lead counsel, Klein and his team of more than 200 attorneys oversaw the merger, as well as the antitrust and health care regulatory aspects of the transaction. The deal involved investments from Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Cigna Corporation’s subsidiary, Evernorth. This strategic collaboration will create a multi-payor platform to deliver quality, affordable care, leveraging VillageMD’s expertise in value-based care.

“VillageMD, which is one of the largest value-based and risk-based care model providers in the country, in a single transaction added Summit’s large and effective multistate, multi-specialty medical groups and its network of urgent care centers, as well as creating a new strategic alliance with Cigna to move toward commercial risk-based care delivery,” Klein said in an email. “I am a strong advocate of global risk-based payment models, where physicians and hospitals do better financially if the patient has better outcomes and costs are reduced. The global risk payment model allows physicians to invest in prevention, better outcomes and data-driven medicine, which is not feasible in traditional fee-for-service medicine.”

Additionally, Klein played a pivotal role in negotiating the $3.9 billion Los Angeles County Medi-Cal contract for Molina Healthcare Inc. With a tight deadline of six weeks, Klein and his health care team successfully renegotiated the contract, doubling Molina’s Medi-Cal enrollment in Los Angeles County and partnering with Health Net to introduce new quality and access programs. The contract is expected to generate $3.9 billion in revenue for Molina and sets a model for improved health care delivery to California’s Medi-Cal population.

“This high-pressure negotiation was a win-win scenario, helping our community and our client,” Klein said.

Throughout his career, Klein has garnered numerous honors and accolades, including being recognized as an M&A Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting and a Healthcare, Pharma & Biotech Dealmaker of the Year by The Deal. He has been listed as one of the Top Health Care Lawyers by The Daily Journal. Klein has also received awards such as the Leader in Law Award by the Los Angeles Business Journal and has been named a Leading Lawyer in California Healthcare by Chambers USA and Legal 500.