Memorial Chain Links Up With PacifiCare

Memorial Health Services in Long Beach has signed a contract to provide hospital services to members of PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. for the unusually lengthy period of 10 years.

Cypress-based PacifiCare, which typically contracts with hospitals for one to two years, and sometimes with individual doctors and hospitals for longer, said Monday that the 10-year contract is its longest yet. PacifiCare officials said the arrangement is intended to increase health-care options for its members and improve members’ access to providers.

Providers include doctors and medical centers in Memorial’s system, including Anaheim Memorial, Long Beach Memorial, Miller Children’s in Long Beach, Orange Coast Memorial in Fountain Valley and Saddleback Memorial in Laguna Hills.