ChenMed announced Thursday it expects to open three locations in Jacksonville this year as part of a nationwide expansion.
Plans filed with the city show ChenMed Dedicated Senior Medical Centers in development at 9420-22 Arlington Expressway in the Regency area; 3059 Edgewood Ave. W. in Northwest Jacksonville; and 6841 Blanding Blvd. in Southwest Jacksonville.
The city approved build-out for ChenMed at all three locations over the past few weeks.
The city approved a $600,000 build-out for ChenMed in 13,500 square feet of space in the Regency Pointe shopping center.
It issued a permit for a $400,000 build-out for the almost 9,500-square-foot Edgewood Avenue location, a former ABC Liquors that was bought by an investor for ChenMed’s use.
It also OK’d a $600,000 project for an 11,000-square-foot former Goodwill store along Blanding Boulevard, bought by the same investor.
David Hillegas, senior associate of brokerage services at Cushman & Wakefield, represented ChenMed in its Jacksonville site search.
The primary care provider, based in the Miami area, said 2018 would be a banner year for its more than 40 practices in six states, as well as for new Dedicated Senior Medical Centers in Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Largo, Brandon and Philadelphia.
It said leases were signed and construction is beginning.
The Medicare Advantage provider said it achieved 28 percent growth in 2017 membership, while individual Medicare Advantage plan memberships in the United States grew by 6.1 percent.
“Our percent of growth is nearly five times that achieved by all of the nation’s health insurance companies selling individual Medicare Advantage plans in 2017,” said CEO Christopher Chen in a news release.
ChenMed’s growth plans include expanding its total medical practice footprint to 53 centers in seven states and increasing the number of its Florida centers by 36 percent.
It will operate in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Dr. Maina Gatonye will be in charge of the six Senior Medical Centers in Northern Miami and the three practices in Jacksonville.
ChenMed said its Senior Medical Centers provide access to concierge-style care for some of the neediest patients.
ChenMed focuses on preventative care and services, including courtesy transportation, on-site specialists and medication dispensing, and more time with physicians.
ChenMed serves seniors with low-to-moderate incomes, most managing multiple chronic conditions. Its network should be 53 senior medical centers in 13 markets by August.
Dr. James Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant and cancer survivor, founded the company. Its brands include Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and JenCare Senior Medical Center.