As private equity and corporate consolidation continue to reshape healthcare, many physicians are exploring the best path forward for their practices. While some opt to join larger healthcare entities, others are finding that remaining (or becoming) independent can offer strategic advantages tailored to their goals, values and lifestyles.
Independence Is Resurging
Healthcare consolidation has accelerated in recent years, with large entities acquiring independent practices at a rapid pace. Yet, cracks in the consolidation model are becoming more visible. Physicians in highly consolidated systems often report increased administrative burden, reduced clinical autonomy, and growing concerns about patient satisfaction. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association links consolidation to lower physician job satisfaction and higher burnout rates (JAMA: Factors Affecting Physician Professional Satisfaction and Their Implications for Patient Care, Health Systems, and Health Policy).
Reflecting these shifts, there has been a stabilization and slight rebound in independent practice ownership, according to the American Medical Association’s latest survey (AMA Physician Practice Benchmark Survey, 2023).
Scaling Without Selling
One of the main hurdles for independent practices is managing HR, payroll, staffing, and benefits—the very areas that corporate owners promise to streamline. But selling your practice isn’t the only way to get expert support.
Solutions like MedWay – born out of the nation’s leading state-based physician association, California Medical Association – are designed specifically for independent practices that want to thrive while maintaining autonomy. These solutions offer:
- Human Resources Management
- Payroll and Staff Administration
- Access to Competitive Employee Health and Retirement Benefits
- Recruitment Support for Medical and Administrative Staff
With a partner that provides tailored support and a cloud-based platform such as MedWay, independent practices gain the operational backbone they need to grow sustainability.
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Why Independence Is the Power Move
Independence allows physicians to:
- Maintain clinical decision-making power
- Foster strong patient relationships
- Adapt quickly to patient and market needs
- Design a work-life balance that fits their goals and lifestyle
- Maintain control over their financial performance and reinvest in their practice
- Choose their patient panel and care delivery model
- Set their own schedules and practice management priorities
- Select their operational infrastructure, including EHRs, staffing models, and vendors
- Create a practice culture aligned with their values and vision
With patient preferences shifting toward personalized care and transparency, independent practices are uniquely positioned to deliver high-value, patient-centered experiences.
The Bottom Line
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for every practice. For physicians committed to independence, supported by the right partners like MedWay, the path offers a sustainable and rewarding way to practice medicine on their own terms.
Ready to scale your independent practice? Learn more about MedWay’s solutions here or contact us to start a conversation.