Independent orthopedic groups are banding together in Washington state to protect their role in a rapidly consolidating healthcare market.
Four practices — Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists in Spokane, Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, Proliance Surgeons and Rebound Orthopedics & Neurosurgery, both in Seattle —. — have formed the Washington Orthopaedic Value Network, representing more than 200 physicians.
The collaboration aims to improve access, reduce costs and coordinate care across Washington through shared protocols, data and contracting power. It enables independent groups to pursue statewide contracts with payers and employers, while still operating as separate entities.
WOVN also connects to The OrthoForum Value Network, a national alliance spanning 46 states and more than 95 practices. Together, the two networks represent thousands of physicians and therapists positioned to compete with larger health systems.
“Healthcare is moving toward bundles and direct contracting,” Greg Byrd, MD, managing partner of Olympia Orthopaedic Associates and WOVN board chair, told Becker’s. “If we want to be successful, we can’t just operate in our own corners of the state. We had to come together.”
Dr. Byrd said WOVN’s strategy hinges on demonstrating value through measurable outcomes. The network will track key metrics such as patient access, readmission rates, infection rates and patient-reported outcomes, and then compare those results with national benchmarks.
“Our goal is to provide the lowest cost and highest quality possible,” he said. “That’s what payers and employers are looking for.”
He noted that private practices often hold advantages over hospital-based systems in terms of efficiency and cost. With access to ASCs and fewer site-of-service limitations, independent groups can deliver musculoskeletal care more effectively.
“All of us have our own surgery centers, and that’s a big part of the value we bring,” Dr. Byrd said. “We know hospitals struggle with flexibility, but ASCs allow us to deliver care in the most cost-efficient setting.”
Still, he emphasized that the groups will maintain hospital relationships for complex cases. He also stressed that WOVN is not a merger.
“There’s no change of ownership,” Dr. Byrd said. “We’re still independent, but we are coming together and sharing protocols, outcomes, data and best practices.”
Looking ahead, he expects WOVN to become the preferred provider of musculoskeletal care in Washington, where the four groups already deliver more than half of orthopedic care statewide.
The network’s ultimate goal is to protect patient access by ensuring contracts don’t limit where people can seek care, Dr. Byrd said. By working together, the groups can better direct patients to the right specialist in a timely, cost-effective way.
