CityMD
Urgent care clinic network in New York metropolitan area.
PE-OWNED
Acquired by Warburg Pincus2017-01-01
What Made It Great
Convenient, high-quality urgent care with minimal wait times.
What PE Will Likely Do
Reduced nursing staff and replacement of RNs with lower-cost LPNs or medical assistants, leading to longer wait times and less attentive care during urgent care visits
Aggressive billing practices, including upcoding of higher-reimbursement procedures and diagnoses, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients
Elimination of less profitable but essential services like on-site x-rays, lab testing, and specialist referrals, forcing patients to seek care elsewhere
Extraction of large management and consulting fees, diverting resources away from patient care and facility maintenance
Expected Timeline
“0 to 6 months months”
Announcements of 'efficiency' programs and leadership changes, but no visible impact on patients yet
“6 to 12 months months”
Staffing reductions begin, leading to longer wait times and less personalized care
“12 to 24 months months”
Service quality noticeably declines as essential services are cut, and billing practices become more aggressive
“24 to 36 months months”
Significant issues emerge, such as facility closures or quality scandals related to reduced staffing and deferred maintenance
“36+ months months”
Potential bankruptcy or sale of CityMD to another operator, leaving patients to find new sources of urgent care
Similar Cases
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
What You Can Do
Actions
Monitor wait times and quality of care at CityMD locations, and be prepared to seek alternative urgent care providers if service declines
Carefully review medical bills for any suspicious or unexplained charges, and challenge any that seem inappropriate
Stay informed about any changes to services offered at CityMD locations, and advocate for the preservation of essential care
Alternatives
Community-focused healthcare
Integrated managed care consortium