Anesthesia group mergers and acquisitions have been on the rise in 2014, due to changes in the healthcare system and the uncertain healthcare environment. For smaller anesthesia groups, the choice to band together can improve changes of survival. For larger organizations, forging partnerships allows more leverage with payers and the ability to capture data on outcomes and costs associated with anesthesia care.
While ASCs may encounter difficulties employing anesthesiologists as a result of increased anesthesia merger and acquisition activity, contracting larger outside groups can come with benefits, such as access to top-of-the-line equipment and technology and greater resources for value in care. The following are anesthesia mergers that have occurred so far in 2014 as reported on Becker's ASC Review.
January
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based MEDNAX announced the acquisition of the 37-anesthesiologist group, Summit (N.J.) Anesthesia Associates. Later in the month, MEDNAX also acquired the 48-anesthesiology provider, Baltimore-based Physicians Anesthesia Associates.
- Knoxville, Tenn.-based TeamHealth acquired Omaha-based Professional Anesthesia Services, which manages more than 18,000 cases each year.
- Dallas-based Pinnacle Anesthesia, Orlando-based JLR Medical Group and Greater Houston Anesthesiology founded U.S. Anesthesia Partners, an anesthesia-focused physician services organization designed to facilitate resource-sharing among the groups, though they continue to practice under their individual brands.
- Williams and Wagner in Louisville, Ky.; Anesthesia Associates of Louisville (Ky.); Anesthesia Associates of Clark County in Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Southern Indiana Anesthesia Consultants. New Albany, Ind., merged to form ONE Anesthesia PLLC.
February
- Sunrise, Fla.-based Sheridan Healthcare announced an affiliation with Greater Florida Anesthesiologists in Clearwater, a practice that provides services at eight acute-care hospitals and 18 ASCs.
- MEDNAX acquired the 56-anesthesiology provider, Grand Blanc, Mich.-based Great Lakes Anesthesia Associates.
March
- North American Partners in Anesthesia and FOAA Anesthesia Services announced a merger of the two organizations, which was effective immediately.
April
- MEDNAX acquired Fredericksburg (Va.) Anesthesia Associates, a 16-anesthesiologist practice.
May
- MEDNAX acquired Cross River Anesthesiologist Services, a 22-anesthesiology provider practice based in Kingston, N.Y. Later in the month, MEDNAX also acquired Millburn, N.J.-based Anesthesia and Pain Management Group, a 14-anesthesiology provider practice.
June
- Arlington, Texas-based NorthStar Anesthesia announced the acquisition of Mount Airy, Md.-based Anesthesia Concepts, an anesthesia services company for hospitals and ASCs.
For more on how anesthesia mergers and acquisitions may impact ambulatory surgery centers, click here.
More Articles on Anesthesia:
NorthStar Anesthesia Acquires Anesthesia Concepts: 3 Things to Know
Storing Dantrolene Can Reduce Malignant Hypterthermia Fatalities, Study Finds
ASA Applauds Introduction of Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act in U.S. House