As consolidation continues to grow throughout healthcare and the future of independent practice becomes more uncertain, here are four physicians innovating the field with new business models and approaches to practice development:
1. Benjamin Stein, MD, an independent orthopedic surgeon, co-founded and chairs ASC development group Capital Surgical Solutions. He pursued independence after observing changes in a former employer's organization following an acquisition by a larger company.
His company's first ASC, the Capital Orthopedic Surgery Center in Germantown, Md., which opened more than four year ago, continues to see positive outcomes through its 12 "independent, busy, value-oriented orthopedic surgeons and a strong focus on joint replacements."
2. Susan Baumgaertel, MD, an internal medicine physician in Seattle, started her own multifaceted telemedicine practice called myMDadvocate after leaving her previous position at a large physician practice that had been acquired by a major consolidator.
Dr. Baumgaertel bills for her time, likening her business model to that of a law firm where lawyers bill for their hours worked. Dr. Baumgaertel found that despite not charging insurance, many of her patients find her services helpful on the basis of her accessibility. Often, they can access her more easily than their regular primary care physician, and they benefit from having direct access to someone who can help them navigate their own insurance and healthcare options.
3. Josh Johnston, MD, and Steven Borene, MD, cofounded Manitowoc, Wis.-based Renovo Health. The practice operates on a direct-pay model which claims to cut out the need for payers and offer affordable surgical care.