Growth Opportunities in Bariatrics and ASCs with Vijay Bachani
episode
Becker’s Healthcare -- Spine and Orthopedic Podcast
10 min
1 speaker
8 chapters
transcribed 1 day ago
Transcript
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Hello, this is Francesca Matthews with the Beckers AAC Review Podcast.
Who is Vijay Bachani and what is his role at New York Bariatric Group?
I'm thrilled to be joined today by Vijay Bacchani, President and Chief Growth Officer of New York Bariatric Group. Thank you so much for being here today.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, to start us off, could you just introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?
Sure. Um so uh I'm uh currently president and chief growth officer at New York Bariatric Group. Uh we're the largest bariatric platform in the country. Uh we're in five states: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as Arkansas and Oklahoma. And we also have four surgery centers. So we have a surgery center uh in Arkansas, uh one in Long Island, uh one in Pramus, New Jersey, and one in Stanford, Connecticut. And my background, I've been here about nine years, uh, kind of really led the growth uh of the company for the last nine years. Um, and very different today than than when I first started. And, you know, really responsible for strategy, uh, growth, business development. Uh, I lead the hospital negotiations, I also assist in the payer negotiations.
Um We've done several acquisitions over the last few years.
What are the top three trends shaping ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) today?
I've led those acquisitions as well. And uh prior to this, I spent uh two years uh at a hedge fund. Uh and prior to that, I spent six years at a health IT incubator where we took a product from inception to exit and we sold to a Fortune 500 company. So uh I think I have a uh decent mix of healthcare and finance, and I guess that's why uh I'm here. But but out of all my jobs, I've I've loved this the best. I find this has the most opportunity.
Yeah, awesome. Great, great rundown there. It's always always great. I spend a lot of time talking to on to ph people on more the physician side of things. So I'm always really interested to hear more um more from your perspective. Um, what are the top three trends that you're following in healthcare and ASCs today?
Yeah. Uh so I I'll give you more than three, uh but just general trends I'm following. You know, obviously procedures coming off the inpatient only list. Um, we always have an eye on that. the increase or the rise in um self-funded employers, right? So the rise of the ASO model. We're seeing more and more employers being uh you know self-funded and and with that there's opportunity, right? There's opportunity to go direct as well.
How does leverage and negotiation power affect ASC growth and payer contracts?
And we do have bundle agreements with several employers. Increase price transparency. I think that's good for everybody. Um and and we definitely um use that to our advantage in terms of negotiating with payers because we know exactly what the hospitals are getting paid uh and the services that we're providing. And then just general consolidation, right? It it's very difficult, I think, for the independent physician practice and You know, they're not going to get rates from the payers. Uh, hospitals are acquiring primary care folks uh and physicians and tell them to refer internally. So in that kind of environment, you know, how does how do you succeed? Right. So for us, uh, we we are, you know, we are back, we do have outside investors, but nevertheless, you know, it's all about understanding.
Like who has leverage and how to negotiate. Um, and that's something that, you know, we've kind of learned and improved upon over the years. But it's it's tough out there for for for you know the independent practice to survive in this kind of environment.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:02–0:48
2
Who is Vijay Bachani and what is his role at New York Bariatric Group?
0:48–2:00
3
What are the top three trends shaping ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) today?
2:00–3:15
4
How does leverage and negotiation power affect ASC growth and payer contracts?
3:15–4:42
5
Why is outpatient cardiology a game‑changer for ASCs in New York?
4:42–6:39
6
How is New York Bariatric Group planning growth over the next twelve months?
6:39–8:11
7
What advantage does a higher BMI cutoff give bariatric ASCs over competitors?
8:11–9:40
8
How are orthopedics and spine being integrated into the bariatric ASC model?
9:40–10:33
Speakers
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