More than half of active U.S. physicians worked for hospital systems as of 2024, up from 20% in 2010, and hospital systems have acquired more than 20,000 physician practices since 2015, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.
Becker’s ASC Review tracked more than 50 physician practice deals in 2026 — with consolidation taking over some areas of medicine more than others.
Here’s a breakdown by across five specialties:
1. Ophthalmology and retina
- Cencora acquired EyeSouth Partners’ retina business for $1.1 billion, with affiliated physicians joining Retina Consultants of America.
- EyeSouth Partners added Aslett-Kurica Eye Center in Louisiana.
- Ascend Vision Partners acquired three practices in Oklahoma.
- Vision Innovation Partners acquired Ophthalmic Associates of Alexandria and Frederick Eye Institute.
- Retina Consultants of America acquired Montana Retina Consultants.
- PRISM Vision Group acquired Retina Macula Institute in California.
2. Primary care
- Humana acquired MaxHealth, a Sarasota, Fla., primary care network previously owned by Arsenal Capital Partners’ Best Value Healthcare, for $1 billion, as part of a broader expansion of its CenterWell primary care arm.
- MUSC Health acquired Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, South Carolina’s largest independent multispecialty group, for $111 million.
- Millennium Physician Group added eight primary care locations in Florida.
- Sage Health secured $50 million in growth capital from Trinity Capital.
- Centerpoint Health acquired the practices of two physicians.
- Dawson Med acquired Batish Family Medicine in North Carolina.
3. Cardiology
- Atria Heart acquired Phoenix-based Cardiovascular Consultants.
- Lee Health entered an agreement to acquire Florida Heart Associates.
- Hartford HealthCare acquired Consulting Cardiologists for $3 million.
- St. David’s HealthCare acquired Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons.
- Hopedale Cardiology joined UMass Chan Medical School.
4. Orthopedics, spine and pain management
- Lee Health acquired Gardner Orthopedics in Fort Myers, Fla.
- Avera Health acquired the Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Spine in Dakota Dunes, S.D.
- Summit Spine & Joint Centers acquired Savannah Pain Management and Center.
- Physician Partners of America acquired the patient base of Crespo Injury Care Center.
- Regenerative Orthopedic Center acquired ActiveEDGE Physical Therapy & Wellness.
5. Gastroenterology
- UPMC acquired Pennsylvania Gastroenterology in Camp Hill, Pa.
- Premier Health Partners acquired Digestive Specialists in Dayton, Ohio.
- Amsurg acquired five endoscopy centers in North Carolina.
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