UnitedHealth Group's Optum, parent company of ASC chain SCA Health, based in Deerfield, Ill., has been on a spending spree, making several massive deals in 2023. Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners, meanwhile, spent almost $250 million to acquire ASCs last year and is planning for more in 2023. 

While the ASC industry is largely fragmented, five major groups control a solid chunk of the market share, according to the VMG Health's "2023 Healthcare M&A Report."

Physician staffing firms have been hit by economic pressure and high margins, causing one to file for bankruptcy and another to shut down. 

United Surgical Partners International has more than 475 surgery centers, making it the largest ASC chain. 

From acquisitions to new deals, here is how four major ASC chains have recently gained power.

Medical staffing company American Physician Partners is closing and will transition to its hospital contracts. 

A 12,521-square-foot ASC in Houston has been sold by Ellington Properties, according to a July 17 report from REBusiness Online.

Joe Peluso, administrator at Aestique Surgical Center in Greensburg, Pa., joined Becker's to discuss what he thinks the ASC industry looks like and will look like as healthcare costs continue to rise.

UnitedHealthcare revenue grew 13 percent to $70.2 billion in the second quarter of 2023.

UnitedHealth Group's Optum saw big gains in the second quarter of 2023, with the company seeing a 25 percent increase in revenue to $56.3 billion. 

UnitedHealth Group's Optum, parent company of ASC chain SCA Health, has become a household name in value-based care as it continues to snap up healthcare companies that align with its goal of expanding in the space. 

Certificate of need legislation makes a big difference for surgery center development.

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is one of the largest ASC companies in the country. 

Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International and SCA Health are two of the largest ASC chains, with more than 475 and 320 ASCs, respectively. 

SCA Health, an affiliate of Optum, has had a slow year of ASC activity since the company rebranded last May and expanded its focus beyond surgery centers.

MedVanta, the largest physician-owned musculoskeletal management services organization in the nation, is partnering with Physicians Surgery Center of Frederick, according to a July 6 news release.

The ASC industry is slowly consolidating, and five major moves in the last year point to how the industry is shifting. 

A 10,000-square-foot medical office building in East Windsor, N.J., has sold for $2.95 million, according to a July 6 report from roi-nj.com. 

Five ASCs have said they would close their doors this year, citing low patient volumes, financial strain and more.

United Surgical Partners International has more than 475 surgery centers, the most of any ASC chain.