Why Independent Orthopaedic Care Still Matters
For more than 50 years, Flagstaff Bone & Joint has been providing orthopaedic care to Northern Arizona. What began with two founding partners, Bert McKinnon, M.D., and Frank Maher, M.D., has grown into a comprehensive orthopaedic campus with over 25 providers, an outpatient orthopaedic surgery center, same-day and walk-in appointments, digital X-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided injections, durable medical equipment (DME), custom casting and splinting, occupational and physical therapy, and soon, a state-of-the-art MRI service line.
Today, Flagstaff Bone & Joint remains the only locally owned, independent orthopaedic practice serving our region. That distinction is becoming increasingly rare, and it matters more than many patients realize.
The healthcare landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Rising operational costs, declining insurance reimbursements, and increasing administrative burdens have made independent medical practice increasingly difficult to maintain. Today, only about half of orthopaedic surgeons remain in private practice, while most new physicians entering the workforce choose employment with large healthcare systems or private equity-backed organizations.
These models often provide physicians with financial stability and relieve them of the responsibilities of managing a private practice. Healthcare systems can offer competitive salaries through higher reimbursement rates, while private equity firms can provide capital for expansion, recruitment, and operational efficiencies.
However, both models often come with an important tradeoff: less physician autonomy and decreased patient focus. When clinical decisions become increasingly influenced by corporate policies, financial targets, or system-wide mandates, physicians have less flexibility to tailor care to each individual patient. Independent physicians retain the ability to make decisions based solely on what is best for their patients, allowing care to remain personalized, timely, and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes.
Research supports the concern that consolidation has increased healthcare costs. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that prices paid to health system physicians and hospitals were significantly higher than those paid to independent physicians and hospitals; ranging from 12% to 26% higher for physician services and approximately 31% higher for hospital services. Yet these higher costs have not consistently translated into better patient outcomes.
At Flagstaff Bone & Joint, we believe quality care should also be affordable and transparent. That is why we offer transparent pricing models for patients who do not have insurance as well as those with high-deductible health plans. By providing clear, upfront pricing and affordable payment options, we help patients make informed decisions about their care without unexpected financial surprises.
Remaining independent is not the easiest path. It requires continual investment in our practice, our technology, and our people. But we believe that independence allows us to remain focused on what matters most, our patients.
Because our physicians own and lead the practice, we are accountable to the people we serve, not shareholders, investors, or a distant corporate office. We can continue investing in services that improve access and convenience for our community while preserving the personalized care that has defined Flagstaff Bone & Joint for generations.
Healthcare will continue to evolve, and we recognize that change is inevitable. Yet our commitment remains the same today as it was more than five decades ago: providing exceptional orthopaedic care with integrity, compassion, and clinical excellence.
As long as we have the privilege of serving Northern Arizona, we will continue to champion physician-led, patient-centered care, because we believe our community deserves the choice of independent medicine.
Dr. Darius M. Moezzi is the senior partner and president of Flagstaff Bone & Joint. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and serves as a team physician for the U.S. Ski Team.