Growth and Independence in the Orthopedic Market

The healthcare economy in the United States—arguably the most expensive in the world—is struggling to change. For many, healthcare is not only unaffordable, it is inaccessible. In an effort to reduce cost and increase access, regulatory measures are pushing privately-owned practices to merge with larger, more comprehensive health systems.

For orthopedists who want to remain independent, it’s not just a matter of statistics; this challenge is reflected in the routine of each workday. As government regulation increases and reimbursement questions are raised, running a practice profitably requires more effort to remain independent and thrive.

Diminishing private orthopedic practices

According to the Medical Economics’ 2022 Physician Report, the number of physicians in private practices decreased by 26% in 2021, reflecting the nearly 109,000 physicians who have left private practice since 2019. The report also stated that the number of hospital or corporate-owned physician practices in the U.S. is more than 135,000. As these trends impact the orthopedic industry, practice owners must decide whether to merge or remain independent.