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The Reconsolidation of Imaging Centers
May 17, 2010
Published by ImagingBiz
Significant market trends, over the past few years, have affected the competitive environment between hospitals and physician-owned freestanding imaging centers. The primary drivers of these trends are the relative weaknesses of a large number of freestanding imaging centers (caused by changes in reimbursement and regulation) and the sensitivity of these businesses to the economic crisis. These changes in the landscape have created the ideal environment for a reconsolidation of imaging centers that can bring them back into hospital operations through acquisitions, perhaps at depressed market values.
Hospitals are using their newfound relative strength in certain key strategic areas opportunistically to acquire freestanding imaging centers in their markets. Some hospital advantages include reimbursement, access to capital, vendor relationships, and physician employment. Our company, VMG Health, has experienced a significant increase in the demand for valuation services, in the past year, in support of hospital acquisitions of freestanding imaging centers.