Companies at the forefront of reshaping ASCs’ M&A narrative

The landscape of physician practices and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in the United States continues to evolve with the ongoing consolidation by hospitals, health systems, and private equity firms. Despite this trend, there is a noticeable shift towards independence as ASC physicians and leaders advocate for their autonomy and ownership of their practices.

In response to this trend, various ownership and management models have emerged that prioritize independence over traditional acquisition strategies. These models view independence as a source of strength and are redefining the ASC M&A landscape. Here are seven ASC development companies and management service organizations at the forefront of promoting independence in ASC M&A:

1. ASCend: A newly established Management Service Organization (MSO) based in Gillette, Wyoming, with a mission to support rural ASCs in remaining independent and locally owned. Founded by CEO Linda Bedwell and COO/CFO Norberto Orellana, ASCend focuses on empowering physician-led surgery centers in underserved areas. Additionally, ASCend offers a physician development program to aid ASCs in enhancing their operations and achieving outstanding results.

2. Capital Surgical Solutions: Co-founded by orthopedic surgeon Benjamin Stein, MD, Capital Surgical Solutions prioritizes independence in its management approach. The company has experienced significant success with its centers, showcasing improved satisfaction levels, patient outcomes, and staff retention. Dr. Stein emphasizes the importance of collaborative decision-making with doctors and staff, competitive compensation, and maintaining exceptional quality of service.

3. ReKlaim Health: Led by Dutch Rojas, ReKlaim aims to create a national coalition of independent ASCs and physician-owned hospitals through shared infrastructure, physician ownership, and innovative economic strategies. By bundling risk across various services, ReKlaim reduces costs for physicians and supports practice financial stability and growth.

4. Sapient Health: Owned by Joseph Romano and Bill Ingram, Sapient Health offers a unique blend of large company expertise with a personalized, startup-like approach. Emphasizing regional representation and a physician-driven model, Sapient ensures physicians retain leadership while gaining valuable business acumen for long-term success.

5. Redefine Management: With a vertically integrated model, Redefine Management provides tailored solutions to empower physician groups and healthcare providers. Through strategic partnerships, Redefine offers benefits similar to traditional health system alliances while preserving physician autonomy and independence.

6. CardioOne: Specializing in cardiology, CardioOne offers comprehensive infrastructure support to partners, including IT, revenue cycle management, benefits administration, finance, and credentialing. Unlike traditional MSOs, CardioOne does not acquire practices but collaborates with cardiologists to help them establish independent practices.

7. Atria Health: A Philadelphia-based platform focusing on cardiology practices, Atria partners with Cypress Ridge Partners, a private equity group. Rather than acquiring practices, Atria invests in them to facilitate long-term growth and success. Recently, Atria partnered with AMS Cardiology to launch an ASC, showcasing its commitment to supporting independent cardiovascular practices.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, these companies are reshaping the narrative of ASC M&A by prioritizing independence and empowering physicians to take control of their practices. Their innovative approaches and focus on autonomy are driving a new era of ASC development and management.