In the early ‘90’s, our industry experienced acquisition frenzy, as companies such as NovaCare and HealthSouth began to aggressively purchase practices across the country.   There was a great deal of concern about the survival of private practice, as these large corporations began moving toward risk agreements to capture the HMO market, leaving autonomous practitioners to fend for themselves. 

Fast forward to 2007: HealthSouth, Select, Benchmark and Physiotherapy Associates have all merged.  Couple the consolidation trend with the ever present growth of physician owned practices and it’s no wonder that private practitioners are asking, “what’s next?”  

Our crystal ball is a bit cloudy, but we know that even in the toughest of times, therapists in private practice demonstrate the resiliency and entrepreneurial spirit that keep the momentum going, as they have in the past, so they will in the future.

We invite you to share your thoughts, concerns and plans for the future with PREFERRED network members by submitting the information to Jaxene Hillebert via email at:

Our PREFERRED team members will review, and vote for the most original and interesting submission.  The winner will receive a one-year free membership, and be featured in the October, 2007 newsletter.