Avanza + MedHQ Acquires Fulcrum Strategies, Adding Dedicated Payer Contracting Capabilities

WESTCHESTER, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avanza + MedHQ, a leading provider of advisory, management, and administrative solutions to hospitals and health systems, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), outpatient care providers, and physicians throughout the United States, has acquired Fulcrum Strategies, an independent payer contracting firm.

The acquisition adds a dedicated payer contracting capability to the integrated service delivery platform Avanza + MedHQ has built, scaling payer relations as one of the critical operating functions the company provides to manage ambulatory networks.

Founded in 2004 by Ron Howrigon, Fulcrum Strategies has represented more than 5,000 providers in negotiations with health plans, securing over $100 million in negotiated rate increases for its clients. The firm's team brings a combined 180 years of experience in payer relations and contract negotiation and currently supports more than 100 clients on complex contract negotiations representing over $1 billion in contract value.

Howrigon was a negotiator and network manager in senior management roles with three of the country's largest managed care companies — Kaiser Permanente, Cigna HealthCare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield — before founding Fulcrum to represent providers in that same negotiation.

"Payer relations increasingly determine how ambulatory organizations perform financially," said Erik Miller, CEO of Avanza + MedHQ. "Ron and his team have spent more than two decades on both sides of that negotiation, and bringing them into Avanza + MedHQ gives our clients a dedicated payer contracting partner. Our clients have been clear that they need more support here, and this acquisition lets us deliver it directly."

Howrigon will lead the Payer Relations and Contracting service line within Avanza + MedHQ.

"We started Fulcrum around one idea: Physicians and hospitals do better when someone with payer-side experience is negotiating on their behalf," said Howrigon. "Avanza + MedHQ's clients already trust the organization for management, advisory, and revenue cycle work. Extending that same relationship to payer contracting, now backed by a larger team and broader resources, is a genuine advantage for the clients we'll serve together going forward."

Payer contracting is available to Avanza + MedHQ clients as a standard-included component of non-equity management, as an add-on to Avanza + MedHQ RCM, or as a standalone engagement. Services span payer contract negotiation, contract rate and performance analysis, alternative and value-based payment model negotiation, managed care contract compliance and renewal monitoring, M&A contract due diligence, and regulatory and reimbursement advisory. Learn more about the service on the Avanza + MedHQ website.

About Avanza + MedHQ

Avanza + MedHQ is a healthcare services organization providing management, advisory, and administrative solutions to ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, and healthcare systems nationwide. The company offers full-service ASC and physician practice management as well as standalone services in areas including revenue cycle management, human resources, anesthesia services, and payer contracting. The organization also delivers independent development and advisory services, from site feasibility and transaction support to growth planning and optimization. Engagements are structured as non-equity partnerships, with providers retaining full ownership and governance of their organizations. Learn more at medhq.com.

About Fulcrum Strategies

Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation for physician practices, hospitals, and health systems. Ron Howrigon, a former managed care executive, founded the firm in 2004.