Demographics of Ophthalmology and Optometry Practices and Changes in Utilization Patterns of Procedures and Services Following Private Equity Acquisition.
Juliet Del Piero, Sowmya Yennam, Anirudh Mukhopadhyay, Evan M Chen, Christina Y Weng, Ravi Parikh
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: To characterize private equity (PE) acquisition of ophthalmology and optometry practices and compare procedural utilization before and after acquisition.
Methods: Ophthalmologists and optometrists in practices acquired from 2012 to 2016 were identified and characterized using an internet archive with an additional search in 2017 to characterize doctor turnover. United States Census Bureau and Internal Revenue Service Data were used to determine population health insurance and adjusted gross income (AGI). Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes were drawn from the Medicare database.
Results: Six platform companies acquired 36 practices between 2012 and 2016, including 518 optometrists and 136 ophthalmologists with a net doctor decrease of 3% and 7%, respectively (years 2016 to 2017). PE firm-owned practices were primarily located in metropolitan core areas with above-average AGI and insurance coverage. Diagnostic procedures, total encounters, cataract surgery, and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) capsulotomy volume increased per physician 1-year post-acquisition. In adjusted difference-in-difference comparisons, cataract surgery (13.3% relative increase, P<0.001) and YAG capsulotomy (35.6% relative increase, P<0.001) remained significant. PE practices demonstrated an increase in cataract surgery procedures (28,813/platform pre-acquisition to 33,930/platform post-acquisition, P=0.015).
Conclusion: PE acquisitions of ophthalmology and optometry practices were centered in metropolitan core areas with above-average AGI and insurance coverage. PE acquisition led to less optometrists and ophthalmologists employed at the practice. Overall, they exhibited doctor turnover with a net doctor decrease. When compared to non-PE doctors, PE-acquired doctors demonstrated an increase in cataract surgery and YAG capsulotomy volume. Overall, cataract surgery volume increased among PE practices after acquisition.
期刊介绍：
International Ophthalmology Clinics is a valuable resource for any medical professional seeking to stay informed and up-to-date regarding developments in this dynamic specialty. Each issue of this quarterly publication presents a comprehensive review of a single topic in a new or changing area of ophthalmology. The timely, tightly focused review articles found in this publication give ophthalmologists the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge of leading experts in this rapidly changing field.
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