Arlington Heights, IL - Working to keep independent, physician-owned medical practices just that – independent – nearly 400 anesthesiologists from three states have come together to create the Association for Independent Medicine (AIM). The non-profit organization was founded in October 2022 by members of Midwest Anesthesia Partners in Naperville, IL, Anesthesia Management Services in Commerce Township, MI, Mid-Continent Anesthesiology Chartered in Wichita, KS, and Anesthesia Practice Consultants in Grand Rapids, MI, on the principle that maintaining physician control of healthcare decision-making results in the highest quality of care for patients and most efficient use of healthcare resources. With a significant increase in private equity-funded groups – “corporate medicine” – taking over independent practices and hospitals, the organization’s purpose is to support groups who choose to remain independent by providing information, education and political advocacy. Since the organization’s formation, Bend (OR) Anesthesiology Group and Texans Anesthesia Associates in Houston have also joined.

“Our first charge as physicians is to provide patient care to the best of our abilities. When corporate medicine takes over, physicians lose their decision-making abilities, leading to a decrease in patient care options which may negatively impact outcomes,” said Marco Fernandez, MD, AIM president, and president of Midwest Anesthesia Partners, a physician-owned group serving 23 sites throughout Chicagoland. “Groups bought out by private equity are typically forced to follow the corporate owner’s guidelines set in place, which frequently include less time allowed for physicians to spend with each patient, reduced billing reimbursements by insurance companies and increased hours worked by physicians.”

The Association for Independent Medicine is open to all medical specialty groups needing support, especially those seeing an increase in targeting by private equity such as anesthesiology, orthopedics, radiology and cardiology. Whether it’s providing guidance on best practices for contract negotiation, sharing group management strategies or simply networking, AIM looks to be a must-have membership for all independent medical practices. Full member benefits and additional resources can be found at www.associationforindependentmedicine.org.

“Independent group ownership is becoming more difficult in the face of corporate medicine competition and the ridiculous salary offers from them that take potential candidates away from independent groups,” said Dr. Fernandez. “We hope AIM is a resource for physicians looking to join an independent practice, an education for residents to learn about the benefits of independent medicine and the negative realities of corporate medicine, and an influence in the industry for legislative change and physician and patient protection.”

About the Association for Independent Medicine (AIM): The Association for Independent Medicine’s purpose is to support groups who choose to remain independent by providing information, education and political advocacy. When groups are bought out by corporate entities, the physicians tend to lose their decision-making abilities, which can hurt their standard of care and negatively affect patient outcomes. More information about AIM can be found at www.associationforindependentmedicine.org. Follow AIM on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for group and industry news.

###

For more information about Association for Independent Medicine, contact the company here:

Association for Independent Medicine
Maureen Henry
312-523-7605
info@associationforindependentmedicine.org
387 Shuman Boulevard, Suite 240 W
Naperville, Illinois 60563