Becker's ASC Review

34 GASTROENTEROLOGY Gastro Health, GI Alliance, PE GI Solutions: How the big 3 stack up By Patsy Newitt G astro Health, GI Alliance and PE GI Solutions are three of the largest private equity-backed gastroenterology groups in the industry. Here's how the companies stack up across four areas: 1. Affiliated physicians Gastro Health: 343+ GI Alliance: 660+ PE GI Solutions: 600+ 2. Locations Gastro Health: 140+ GI Alliance: 400+ PE GI Solutions: 60+ clinical partner locations 3. Leaders Gastro Health: CEO: Joseph Garcia CFO: Lawrence Freni GI Alliance: CEO: James Weber, MD 13-member physician executive leader- ship board PE GI Solutions: Chairman & founder: Barry Tanner CEO: David Young 4. Headquarters Gastro Health: Miami GI Alliance: Southlake, Texas PE GI Solutions: Jamison, Pa. n The rise of gastroenterology megagroups By Patsy Newitt Gastroenterology has been character- ized by consolidation and the growth of management service organizations and megagroups. "Megagroups" are defined as prac- tices with 15 or more gastroenterolo- gists, according to a report jointly published by consulting firm Fraser Healthcare and pharma research firm Spherix Global Insights. Megagroup gastroenterologists can overlap as members of a management service organization or health system, but some are still independent. In larger groups, such Gastro Health and GI Alliance, private equity has played a huge hand in propelling growth. The number of private equity gastrointestinal groups grew by 28 percent, to 68, in 2021, according to the report. Despite consolidation, many groups still lean on physician input. Southlake, Texas-based GI Alliance, the largest and most geographically dispersed gastroenterology organization in the U.S., is physician-led and majority physician-owned. While such organiza- tions as PE GI Solutions and GI Alliance boast a portfolio of more than 600 physicians, smaller, localized groups still thrive. The growth of these groups could be improving patient care, the Fraser report suggests. Megagroup gastroenterologists are more likely to perform colonoscopies, endoscopies and sigmoidoscopies than gastroenterologists not in those groups. They also have less promotional inter- action with pharma, especially sales representatives, and are more likely to prescribe biosimilars, especially Inflectra, than gastroenterologists not in a megagroup, according to the report. As consolidation continues, many gastroenterology leaders stress that patient care must be prioritized. "We need to ensure that individual patient care isn't lost — that touch isn't lost when you need it — and that we still relate to patients as people and remember we are caregivers first," James Leavitt, MD, president and chief clinical officer of Gastro Health, told Becker's. n Top 10 most-recruited physicians — Gastroenterologists are No. 4 By Alan Condon F or more than a decade, family phy- sicians have been the most heavily recruited physicians in the U.S., but specialist recruiting increased signifi- cantly last year as COVID-19 caused a decrease in office visits, according to Physicians Thrive. The advisory group compiled data from physicians across the U.S. and published its annual report Jan. 26, which includes the 10 most-recruited physicians: 1. Hematologists/oncologists 2. Family medicine specialists 3. Obstetricians/gynecologists 4. Gastroenterologists 5. Psychiatrists 6. Dermatologists 7. Endocrinologists 8. Cardiologists 9. Radiologists 10. Neurologists Many of these specialties top the recruitment list because they generate significant revenue for hospitals and practices, according to the report. n

• Cover