The ASC market continues to grow quickly as more procedures migrate to the outpatient setting. Here’s five recent moves from the five biggest players in the industry:
1. USPI (Dallas):
USPI, owned by healthcare giant Tenet, is the largest ASC chain in the U.S. USPI:
- Operates more than 535 ASCs across 38 states.
- Employs more than 11,000 physicians.
- Holds a 7.1% market share.
- Is led by president and CEO Brett Brodnax since 2018.
Recent big move: In the first quarter of 2024, Tenet acquired 45 ASCs and sold nine hospitals for net proceeds of $4 billion to invest in the ambulatory space.
2. SCA Health (Deerfield, Ill.):
Optum-owned SCA Health is the nation’s second-largest ASC chain. SCA Health:
- Operates 320 ASCs as of 2023
- Employs 9,200 physicians
- Makes up 5.3% of ASC market share
- Is led by CEO Jason Strauss, a 15-year veteran with SCA.
Recent move: In March, Optum announced plans to acquire bankrupt Dallas-based Steward Health Care's physician group, Stewardship Health, but the deal fell through in June.
3. AmSurg (Nashville, Tenn.):
Amsurg was owned by Envision Health until 2023 when the parent company filed for bankruptcy. AmSurg:
- Operates 256 ASCs.
- Holds 4.1% of ASC market share.
- Employs 2,000 affiliated physicians.
- Is led by Jeff Snodgrass, CEO and president, appointed to that position in November 2023.
Recent move: Under the restructuring agreement, AmSurg bought all ASCs held by Envision for $300 million. Pacific Investment Management Co., a creditor, is AmSurg's majority owner.
4. HCA Healthcare (Nashville):
HCA runs their ASCs through their HCA Surgery Ventures line. HCA:
- Owns 124 surgery centers and, 326 urgent care clinics
- Employs 45,000 physicians
- Posted $17 billion in revenue and $1.8 billion in income in the first quarter of 2024
- Sam Hazen serves as CEO, holding the position since 2019.
Recent moves: In April, HCA sold Los Angeles-based West Hills Hospital and Medical Center, which includes a freestanding ASC, to UCLA Health. Later that same month, HCA and healthcare real estate development company NexCore Group partnered to build an ASC in Orem, Utah.
5. Surgery Partners (Brentwood, Tenn.):
Surgery Partners is the only publicly traded ASC company remaining in the market. Surgery Partners:
- Owns 192 ASCs
- Employs 4,000 physicians
- Saw revenue increase by 8.1% to $2.74 billion in 2023
- Is led by CEO Eric Evans
Recent moves: This year, it has partnered with Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Parkview Health to develop ASC joint ventures across the state. The company also acquired Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital in Wichita, Kan.