Surgery Partners
Ambulatory surgery center operator providing same-day surgical procedures across multiple specialties.
PE-OWNED
Acquired by Bain Capital2017-05-01
What Made It Great
Cost-effective outpatient surgery platform with strong physician partnerships
What PE Will Likely Do
Staffing cuts leading to fewer experienced registered nurses (RNs) and more licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or nursing aides providing care
Aggressive upcoding of patient procedures and diagnoses to maximize reimbursements, potentially leading to unnecessary treatments
Closure or scaling back of less profitable but essential service lines like pediatrics, geriatrics, or rural care access
Shorter patient appointments and higher patient loads per clinician as 'efficiency' measures are implemented
Deferral of equipment upgrades and facility maintenance, leading to aging infrastructure and outdated medical technology
Expected Timeline
“0 to 6 months months”
Announcement of 'optimization' plans, initial leadership changes
“6 to 12 months months”
Staffing cuts begin, service line reviews commence
“12 to 24 months months”
Noticeable decline in patient experience and care quality metrics
“24 to 36 months months”
Potential service closures, quality scandals, or financial distress
“36+ months months”
Possibility of bankruptcy, hospital closures, or acquisition by another operator
Similar Cases
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
What You Can Do
Actions
Closely monitor patient experience and quality of care metrics at Surgery Partners facilities
Be wary of any unexpected changes to service offerings, provider staffing, or medical equipment/technology
Consider alternative ambulatory surgery center options if quality declines become unacceptable
Advocate for regulatory oversight and transparency measures to protect patient interests in PE-owned healthcare companies
Alternatives
Community-focused healthcare
Integrated managed care consortium