Joint ventures between hospitals and physicians account for 22% of U.S. ASCs, making them the second-most common ownership model after centers owned entirely by physicians. The figures come from ASC Data’s August 2025 numbers, cited in an October white paper from Medicus Healthcare Solutions.
ASC ownership by model:
- Physicians only: 52%
- Hospital-physician: 22%
- Corporate-physician: 13%
- Corporate-physician-hospital: 3%
- Corporate only: 3%
- Hospital only: 2%
Physicians hold some ownership in about 90% of ASCs. Based on the same figures, hospitals have a stake in 27% and corporate operators in 19%.
Medicus said joint ventures and acquisitions are creating new opportunities as health systems and corporate partners expand into the ASC market.
Three recent health system ASC joint ventures:
- Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare, Cardiovascular Physicians of Delaware and US Health Partners formed a joint venture in April to build a cardiovascular ASC in Newark. The center will perform cardiac catheterizations, coronary and peripheral vascular interventions, ablations, and pacemaker and defibrillator implants. Atlas Healthcare Partners will manage it, and it is expected to open in late 2027, according to ChristianaCare.
- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Ascension St. Vincent’s and Southeast Orthopedic Specialists opened an ASC in St. Augustine, Fla., as part of the system’s broader ASC and physician partnership investments.
- Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health and Atlas Healthcare Partners plan to build and operate more than 15 ASCs across South Carolina and Tennessee.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
