FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition in Ambulatory Surgery Center Market

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved a final order settling charges that the $792 million proposed acquisition of Symbion Holdings Corporation by Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., would likely be anticompetitive.  

Under the order, Surgery Center Holdings, known as Surgery Partners, agrees to divest Symbion’s ownership in the Blue Springs Surgery Center in Orange City, Fla., within 60 days.

According to the complaint announced in October 2014, the merger would have combined the only two multi-specialty ambulatory surgical centers in the Orange City/Deltona area of Florida, and would have left commercial health plans and commercially insured patients there with only one meaningful alternative to Surgery Partners’ outpatient surgical services.

This action is part of the Commission’s ongoing effort to protect American consumers from higher healthcare costs.

The Commission vote approving the final order was 5-0.

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.