Independent healthcare practitioners matter.

Independent, physician-owned practices play a vital role in the health of our communities.

At a time when large hospital systems, insurance-owned clinics, and private equity groups dominate care delivery, independent physicians offer something increasingly rare: truly personalized, patient-first healthcare.

Independent physicians matter because they deliver healthcare the way it should be: personal, ethical, accessible, and rooted in the communities they serve.

A survey of 1,000 U.S. patients shows the biggest draw of an independent practice was a stronger doctor-patient relationship, with 78% appreciating the more personal relationship with their provider, 60% indicating a greater sense of trust, and 57% saying the quality of care is higher.

Five reasons independence matters:

  1. Actual Patient-Centered Care

    It’s become a catchphrase in healthcare marketing, but patient-centered care, in practice, is an art form. Balancing individual patient needs and desires with best practices and the skill and experience of the provider is not easily replicated in high-volume care environments.

    Without corporate policies dictating visit length or standardized protocols, independent physicians can tailor care plans to patients’ unique goals, lifestyle, and medical history. That extra time and attention lead to more accurate diagnoses, clearer communication, and care that feels personal and relevant. It also helps build long-term, trusting relationships that can improve overall health.

    Research indicates that patients of independent physicians report 26% higher satisfaction rates compared to those seen in hospital-owned practices.

    (Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). “Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Care: Comparing Independent and Hospital-Owned Practices.” 2022;327(18):1782-1791.)

  2. Freedom to Choose the Best Specialists

    Corporate systems often restrict referrals to in-network specialists, even when better options exist in the community. Conversely, Independent physicians can refer patients to the most skilled specialist for the condition—quickly and without corporate pressure—ensuring decisions are based solely on the patient’s best interests.

    Doctors in independent practices have more control over how they treat their patients, as they are not bound by corporate policies that prioritize efficiency over individualized care. A survey of over 3,500 physicians revealed that 67% of those in independent practice reported having “significant autonomy” in clinical decision-making, compared to only 38% in hospital-employed positions.

    (Physicians Foundation. “Survey of America’s Physicians: Practice Patterns and Perspectives.” 2023 Annual Report.)

  3. Lower Costs and Greater Transparency

    Independent practices typically operate with lower overhead than large healthcare systems, avoiding many of the administrative layers and facility fees that drive up costs elsewhere. This leaner structure allows them to offer more competitive pricing—especially beneficial for patients paying out-of-pocket or managing high-deductible plans.

    Patients experience fewer surprise charges and clearer, more transparent billing, which supports informed decision-making. A comprehensive analysis by the Healthcare Cost Institute found that procedures performed in independent practices cost 30–40% less than the same procedures in hospital-owned settings

    (Healthcare Cost Institute. Price Variations in Healthcare Services, 2022.)

    Beyond cost, independent practices increase patient choice and help maintain competitive healthcare markets. Stronger competition often leads to better services and lower prices system-wide. Research shows that regions with a higher concentration of independent practices have healthcare cost-growth rates 5.2% lower than markets dominated by large systems.

    (Journal of Health Economics. Regional Variations in Healthcare Costs, 2024;83:102–118.)

  4. Taking the Time to Deliver Better Care

    Studies show that physician-owned practices often achieve better patient outcomes, fewer hospital admissions, and higher patient satisfaction. A major reason: independent physicians spend more time with patients. This personalized approach leads to better diagnoses, more tailored treatments, and improved overall patient satisfaction. A 2023 study found that physicians in independent practices spend an average of 18.5 minutes per patient visit, compared to just 13.3 minutes in hospital-owned practices.

    (Healthcare Policy Research Institute. “Physician Time Allocation and Patient Care Quality in Different Practice Settings.” Healthcare Economics Quarterly, 2023;45(3):211-225.)

  5. Strengthening the Local Community

    Buying local matters to many consumers, including healthcare consumers. Independent practices are small businesses that hire locally, support community initiatives, and keep healthcare dollars in the region. Their presence also increases competition—helping keep costs in check and expanding patient choice.

    The presence of independent medical practices helps to prevent monopolies in healthcare. When hospital systems dominate a region, they often set higher prices for services. A Federal Trade Commission study found that healthcare prices increase by an average of 20-30% in markets where hospital consolidation has reduced competition.

    (Federal Trade Commission. “Impact of Healthcare Consolidation on Prices, Quality, and Access.” Healthcare Market Competition Report, 2023.)

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