The value of independent doctors
You Get Better Care
Physician-owned practices often achieve better patient outcomes, fewer hospital admissions, and higher patient satisfaction. A big reason: independent physicians spend more time with patients. This personalized approach leads to better diagnoses and more tailored treatments.
78% of patients say independent doctors offer more personal care than those in corporate systems.
Physicians in independent practices spend an average of 39% longer with patients than those in hospital-owned practices.
HBK. "The Importance of Independent Medical Practices in Modern Healthcare," March 21, 2025You Develop A Stronger Patient-Doctor Relationship
Without corporate policies dictating how much time they can spend with a patient or their approach to care, independent physicians have more autonomy to make patient-centered decisions. They can tailor care plans to patients’ unique goals, lifestyle, and medical history. That extra time and attention lead to a stronger bond, more trust, more accurate diagnoses, clearer communication, and care that feels personal and relevant, all contributing to better overall health.
60% of patients trust independent doctors more than corporate doctors.
Software Advice’s 2023 Independent Practice Survey.Your Doctor is Part of Your Community
Independent doctors are members of the communities they serve — your community. They often build their careers in one place over a long period of time and raise their families in these same communities. Because independent doctors stay in one community longer, they can develop long-term, trusting relationships with their patients.
Doctor turnover in corporate health systems is nearly twice that of doctor-owned practices.
Independent practices hire locally, support community initiatives, and keep healthcare dollars in the region. When you choose an independent practice, you’re supporting a small, local business.
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.Your Doctor Can Choose the Best Specialist
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.
67% of those in independent practice report having “significant autonomy” in clinical decision-making, compared to only 38% in hospital-employed positions.
HBK. "The Importance of Independent Medical Practices in Modern Healthcare," March 21, 2025You Get Lower Cost & 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.
Beyond out-of-pocket costs, independent practices increase patient choice and help maintain competitive healthcare markets. Stronger competition often leads to better services and lower prices system-wide. According to the Federal Trade Commission, healthcare prices increase by an average of 20–30% in markets where hospital consolidation has reduced competition.
Procedures performed in independent practices cost 30–40% less than the same procedures in hospital-owned settings.
HBK. "The Importance of Independent Medical Practices in Modern Healthcare," March 21, 2025
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