University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Announce Deal

November 13, 2025

The years-long saga between the University of Minnesota and M Health Fairview took another twist this week as Fairview and University of Minnesota Physicians (UMP) announced a separate 10-year deal without the university's approval. 

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the 10-year deal reportedly includes $50 million in guaranteed funding per year from Fairview to UMP, with potential additional dollars based on financial performance. Currently, Fairview provides approximately $100 million per year to the university, but that arrangement expires at the end of 2026.  

University officials rejected the “secret” deal, according to the Star Tribune, and characterized the Fairview and UMP negotiations as a "hostile takeover." 

On November 13, the university's Board of Regents passed a resolution saying UMP "unlawfully" negotiated with Fairview and put into question whether they would continue as the medical school's official physicians group, according to the Star Tribune. 

Attorney General Keith Ellison, who had been assisting in brokering earlier discussions, said in a statement earlier this week that the new agreement was an “important step toward a reimagined and revitalized partnership between Fairview, UMP, and the University.” He called on the parties to now “embark on an agreement to address the remaining items before them, including provisions for graduate medical education and joint branding.” 

The University of Minnesota and Fairview have been partners since 1997 when Fairview purchased the University of Minnesota Medical Center hospital. Previous efforts in recent years to secure other health system partners, including with Essentia Health and Sanford Health, have not materialized.