business
Practice management companies expand business focus
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 21, 2013
Publicly traded practice management companies continued a steady pace of acquisitions in 2012 and enlarged their presence outside their traditional businesses.
For instance, IPC The Hospitalist Company, which is based in North Hollywood, Calif., purchased 13 practices in 2012. One was an intensivist practice, and four provided postacute care in nursing homes and other settings. One was a group offering behavioral services in the postacute period. The organization has historically bought hospitalist groups. (See correction)
Mednax, based in Sunrise, Fla., which has a history of neonatal, maternal-fetal and anesthesia medicine, purchased 16 practices in 2012, including the organization's second pediatric surgery practice.
Practice management companies are expected to continue to grow and expand their scope in response to health system reform, although these entities are not buying primary care or other outpatient practices at this time.
