How many autism therapy centers have private equity firms acquired in the US?

Private equity firms have acquired over 500 U.S. autism therapy centers in the past decade.

When did private equity firms acquire the most autism therapy centers?

Nearly 80% of private equity acquisitions of autism therapy centers occurred between 2018 and 2022.

What are the concerns about private equity ownership of autism therapy centers?

Concerns include a potential shift from patient care to profit, leading to excessive services and unequal access for children.

Home / Business and Economy / Private Equity Buys Up Autism Centers

Private Equity Buys Up Autism Centers

6 Jan

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Summary

Private equity firms acquired over 500 U.S. autism therapy centers in a decade.
Nearly 80% of acquisitions occurred between 2018 and 2022.
Concerns rise about profit motives potentially overriding patient care quality.

Private equity firms have significantly increased their acquisitions of U.S. autism therapy centers over the past decade. Researchers identified 574 such centers acquired by these firms by 2024, with nearly 80% of these purchases occurring rapidly between 2018 and 2022 through 147 separate deals. This investment trend appears linked to a near tripling of autism diagnoses in the United States, making these centers an attractive financial opportunity.

Experts express concern that the focus on financial returns could shift these centers away from a patient-first model. Potential consequences include prioritizing volume and revenue over quality of care, children receiving more services than clinically necessary, and widening existing disparities in access to essential therapies. States like California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, and Florida have seen the highest numbers of these acquisitions.

Further research is planned to investigate the impact of private equity ownership on the quality of care, including changes in therapy intensity and duration. While private investment could potentially expand services and reduce waitlists, it is crucial to understand whether these acquisitions truly meet patient needs or solely aim to maximize profits from affected families.