Private Equity Trends in Ambulatory Health Care Services

We analyzed 25 years of investment data from our M&A Research Database to create a unique industry summary for Ambulatory Health Care Services.

Overview

The Ambulatory Health Care Services Industry spans a wide array of providers, including physicians, dentists, outpatient care centers, diagnostic laboratories, and home health services. These sectors deliver essential, non-hospital-based care, addressing growing demand for accessible and specialized medical services. 

Industry growth is fueled by an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic diseases, and advancements in diagnostic and treatment technologies. Segments such as outpatient surgical centers and home health care are particularly dynamic, driven by cost-efficiency and patient preference for convenience. Regulatory focus on value-based care and technological integration further shapes the industry landscape. 

M&A opportunities are abundant, with strategies centered on expanding service offerings, achieving geographic reach, and integrating innovative care delivery models. Consolidation among outpatient and diagnostic centers enhances operational efficiency, while acquisitions in home health and telemedicine enable companies to meet rising demand for remote and patient-centric care. For M&A professionals, this industry offers a compelling opportunity to capitalize on its steady growth, diverse services, and critical role in modern healthcare delivery. 

Sub-Sectors

NAICS Code 

Industry Description 

621 

Ambulatory Health Care Services 

6211 

Offices of Physicians 

621111 

Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)  

621112 

Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists  

6212 

Offices of Dentists 

62121 

Offices of Dentists  

6213 

Offices of Other Health Practitioners 

62131 

Offices of Chiropractors  

62132 

Offices of Optometrists 

62133 

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)  

62134 

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists  

62139 

Offices of All Other Health Practitioners 

621391 

Offices of Podiatrists 

621399 

Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners  

6214 

Outpatient Care Centers 

62141 

Family Planning Centers  

62142 

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers  

62149 

Other Outpatient Care Centers 

621491 

HMO Medical Centers  

621492 

Kidney Dialysis Centers  

621493 

Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers  

621498 

All Other Outpatient Care Centers  

6215 

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories 

621511 

Medical Laboratories  

621512 

Diagnostic Imaging Centers  

6216 

Home Health Care Services 

6219 

Other Ambulatory Health Care Services 

62191 

Ambulance Services  

62199 

All Other Ambulatory Health Care Services 

621991 

Blood and Organ Banks  

621999 

All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services  

 

Historical PE Investments in Ambulatory Health Care Services  

Private equity investments in Ambulatory Health Care Services have seen varying interest, with acquisition peaking at over 3.5% of all private equity acquisitions in recent years. 

Renewed interest around 2012 coincided with healthcare reforms and technological advancements enhancing the sector's viability. 

The growth rate and deal volume in PE investments for Ambulatory Health Care Services is also driven by the broader healthcare industry's expansion, demographic shifts, and a focus on value-based care models. 

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Market Summary (2001 - 2024)

  • 5,148 - Platform investments
  • 3,942 - Add-on investments
  • 736 - Total unique private equity firms invested

 

Top 5 Private Equity Firms Invested in Ambulatory Health Care Services  

Measured by the number of deals in Publishing Industries (except Internet).

  1. Summit Partners (Boston, MA) 
  2. OrbiMed Advisors (New York, NY) 
  3. Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company (Chicago, IL) 
  4. TPG (Fort Worth, TX) 
  5. Polaris Partners (Boston, MA)   


Geographical Distribution

A map of the united states

A map of the united states

 

Sample Private Equity Investments in our Database 

June 2024 

Tenex Capital Management completed an investment in Behavioral Innovations (Addison, TX). 

Behavioral Innovations provides center-based applied behavior analysis therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy services to children with autism spectrum disorder and other related developmental disabilities. 

May 2024 

Optimal Investment Group acquired Spectrum Behavioral Therapies (Orange County, CA). 

Spectrum Behavioral Therapies is a behavioral health company focused on providing treatment and support for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

May 2024 

Goldman Sachs acquired Xpress Wellness Urgent Care (Oklahoma City, OK). 

Xpress Wellness Urgent Care is a provider of urgent care services to rural and underprivileged communities. 

April 2024 

Kain Capital invested in Essen Health Care (Bronx, NY). 

Essen Health Care is an independent primary care and multispecialty group which has fully integrated clinical divisions that offer Urgent Care, Primary Care, and Specialty Services. 

March 2024 

Waud Capital Partners acquired Senior Helpers (Towson, MD). 

Senior Helpers is a provider of home care and wellness offerings for seniors. 

 

How Private Equity Info sources data

As a research database and information services company serving the middle market M&A community for 20 years, Private Equity Info ingests enormous amounts of data surrounding transactions, firms, and executives. In addition, our team engages in many conversations daily across the spectrum of investors, investment bankers, and service providers to the M&A community.

This summary report was put together by analyzing the private equity investments collected by our dedicated research team which follows 127,000 key executives, 16,000 firms and 33,000 funds in the M&A industry, or 34 million total data points. Private equity investors, investment bankers and service providers in the M&A space use Private Equity Info to search, identify and download targeted lists of M&A professionals in order to connect with key executives across thousands of companies, firms and funds.

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