Fewer Than Half of Emergency Visits Staffed by Majority Physician-Owned Practices, New Analysis Shows

Strategic Insights -

Most emergency department visits are staffed by physicians employed by health systems or private equity-owned staffing groups, according to a recent analysis published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study found that among 3,998 hospital-based emergency departments, health system-owned groups staffed a third (33%) of all emergency visits, while nearly one in four (24.7%) of visits were staffed by physicians in private equity-owned groups. Regional clinician partnership-owned groups accounted for 20.8% of visits, national clinician-owned partnerships groups were 13.4% of visits, and single site clinician partnership-owned groups staffed 8.1% of visits. The findings reveal a fragmented emergency physician employer market, with a few employers controlling most of the market share.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed 3,998 hospital-based emergency departments accounting for 109.7 million visits, showing that fewer than half of emergency visits are staffed by majority physician-owned employers.
  • Health system-owned groups staffed 33% of all emergency visits, while private equity-owned groups staffed 24.7% of visits.
  • Regional clinician partnership-owned groups (20.8%), national clinician-owned partnerships groups (13.4%), and single site clinician partnership-owned groups (8.1%) accounted for the remaining visits.
  • The study revealed a lack of transparency in practice ownership, which has impaired the ability to understand market trends and health outcomes.
  • The findings also highlighted the need for policy changes to improve practice environments and enhance patient care.
  • Dr. Angela G. Cai, lead study author, emphasized the importance of connecting market trends to patient outcomes and physician employment.

Statistics:

  • 109.7 million emergency department visits analyzed in the study.
  • 3,998 hospital-based emergency departments included in the study sample.
  • 33% of emergency visits were staffed by health system-owned groups.
  • 24.7% of emergency visits were staffed by private equity-owned groups.
  • Regional clinician partnership-owned groups accounted for 20.8% of visits.
  • National clinician-owned partnerships groups accounted for 13.4% of visits.
  • Single site clinician partnership-owned groups staffed 8.1% of visits.
  • 93% of emergency department visits in the private equity ownership category were seen by physicians under three employers.
  • 84% of hospital referral regions across the country qualified as highly concentrated.

Sources:

  • "Fewer Than Half of Emergency Visits Staffed by Majority Physician-Owned Practices, New Analysis Shows" by the American College of Emergency Physicians, August 5, 2025.
  • Annals of Emergency Medicine, a peer-reviewed scientific journal for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
  • The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the national medical society representing emergency medicine.
  • Emergency Physicians, a website for emergency physicians.