Lifespan in another mega-merger It is official — Lifespan has gobbled up one of the largest physician groups in Rhode Island with little attention. Lifespan, the largest hospital group in the state, has now acquired Coastal Medical in a deal the two healthcare entities have been working on for over a year. From For-Profit to Non-Profit The deal takes the for-profit off the tax roll according to multiple sources and documents filed with the state over a year ago. The acquisition of Coastal Medical by Lifespan seems to skirt the state’s regulatory structure as one is a hospital group and the other is a practice. Thus, there is no merger review as in the case of hospitals.