RadNet parent to merge with DIS

Two Los Angeles imaging services firms are planning to merge ina move that will increase center consolidation in California.Primedex Health Systems, the parent of imaging firm RadNet Managementand management service organization Future Diagnostics, has agreedto merge with imaging services provider Diagnostic Imaging Services.

RadNet operates 19 imaging centers in California, while DiagnosticImaging Services runs 10 imaging centers in Southern California,as well as 15 ultrasound labs and 13 mobile ultrasound units.

Primedex already owns 31% of DIS common stock, which it purchasedin March. Under the merger deal, Primedex stockholders would receiveone share of DIS stock for every 1.33 shares of Primedex stock.The merged company would have combined annual gross revenues of$135 million.