Updated Physician Practice Acquisition Study: Changes in Physician Employment (2012-2018)

Physicians Leaving Private Practices for Hospitals: A Growing Trend

Physicians are increasingly leaving private practices to join hospital networks, states a new report from the Physicians Advocacy Institute.

From July 2016 to January 2018, hospitals in the United States acquired approximately 8,000 private medical practices. Over the same period, 14,000 physicians left private practice to work for hospitals. In 2012, hospitals operated 35,700 private practices. By 2018, that number increased to more than 80,000. Currently, 44 percent of physicians work for hospitals.

The trend affects consumers because outpatient hospital services are typically more expensive than services delivered by private medical practices.

You can download the report here:

https://www.heartland.org/_template-assets/documents/publications/021919-Avalere-PAI-Physician-Employment-Trends-Study-2018-Update.pdf

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.