Here are four things to know about GI practices today.
1. Surgery centers remain important to GI practices. The three biggest GI-focused chains are Physicians Endoscopy, AmSurg and Covenant Surgical Partners, and the country has nearly 5,600 Medicare-certified surgery centers. GI procedures, along with ophthalmic and orthopedic procedures, are the most important specialties for ASCs.
2. Ancillary income from pathology labs, ASCs and anesthesia are important to GI practice income. There are several legal issues related to the ancillary income sources.
3. Private equity investment in GI practices has increased greatly. This is not just in ASCs but in actual practices. PE-backed practice platforms include, for example, such firms as Gastro Health, the GI Alliance, US Digestive Health and United Digestive.
4. The state of GI practice remains strong with nearly 16,500 gastroenterologists in the country and average incomes for private practice in the $400,000-plus range. GI doctors are in single specialty practice, solo practice, multispecialty practice and hospital-owned practices.
Join us at the Becker's ASC 26th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, Oct. 24-26, 2019 in Chicago. To learn more and register, click here.