Orthopedic practices are seeking hospital and health system partners as mounting challenges related to reimbursement, value-based programs and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to reshape the healthcare industry.
Ten orthopedic groups that affiliated with hospitals and health systems this year:
1. Central Kansas Orthopedic Group in Great Bend became part of the University of Kansas Health System. The four-surgeon practice is keeping its current location open and continuing to serve patients as normal.
2. Southern Illinois Hand Center, a three-surgeon group in Effingham, Ill., joined Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center on Aug. 2. The practice cited rising regulatory and administrative burdens as a significant driver of the affiliation.
3. Rezin Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Joliet, Ill., affiliated with Morris (Ill.) Hospital on June 1. Morris Hospital now manages the practice, which changed its name to Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
4. Gilford, N.H.-based Advanced Orthopedics, formerly Advanced Orthopedic Specialists, joined Appledore Medical Group and Frisbie Memorial Hospital.
5. Marriottsville, Md.-based Bon Secours agreed to acquire Tuckahoe Orthopaedics, a 13-physician group in Richmond, Va., for an undisclosed price. The transaction is expected to be finalized in October.
6. Active Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, an 11-physician group in Hackensack, N.J., joined Berkeley Heights, N.J.-based Summit Health.
7. Broomfield, Colo.-based SCL Health acquired Butte-based Montana Orthopedics, which has four physicians and 29 employees.
8. Eight-physician practice Spectrum Orthopaedics-Auburn in Lewiston, Maine, joined Central Maine Healthcare.
9. Watertown, N.Y.-based North Country Orthopaedic Group partnered with two New York hospitals, where its physicians will see patients and perform surgery.
10. Peoria, Ill.-based Great Plains Orthopedics expanded its practice to OSF HealthCare's St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Ill.