Podcast Summary: "Growth Opportunities in Bariatrics and ASCs with Vijay Bachani"

Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Host: Francesca Matthews
Guest: Vijay Bachani, President & Chief Growth Officer, New York Bariatric Group
Release Date: November 22, 2025
Episode Focus: Exploring current trends, strategic growth, and unique opportunities in bariatrics and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) from a business leadership perspective.

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode centers on the evolving landscape of bariatrics and ASCs in the U.S., with a special focus on market trends, regulatory changes, and innovative growth strategies. Vijay Bachani shares his experience scaling the New York Bariatric Group, offers insights into the shifting ASC environment, and discusses promising opportunities for expansion and partnership.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Vijay Bachani’s Background and Experience

[01:03 – 02:30]

• Vijay introduces himself as President and Chief Growth Officer of New York Bariatric Group, the largest bariatric platform in the U.S., operating in five states and managing four ASCs.
• His career includes leadership in business development, hospital and payer negotiations, acquisitions, and a blend of finance and healthcare IT experience.
  • “I have a decent mix of healthcare and finance and I guess that's why I'm here. But out of all my jobs, I've loved this the best and I find this has the most opportunity.” — Vijay Bachani [02:24]

Major Trends Affecting ASCs and Healthcare

[02:48 – 04:20]

• Procedures moving off the inpatient only list: Monitoring newly outpatient-eligible procedures.
• Rise of self-funded employers & ASO model: Growing trend of employers self-insuring, which creates direct-to-employer partnership opportunities.
• Price transparency: More accessible pricing info enables better negotiation with payers.
• Consolidation: Independent physician practices face increasing difficulty surviving as hospitals consolidate providers and route referrals internally.
  • “It's very difficult...for the independent physician practice...they're not going to get rates from the payers. Hospitals are acquiring primary care folks and physicians and telling them to refer internally.” — Vijay Bachani [03:32]

Exciting Opportunities: Outpatient Cardiology in New York

[04:36 – 05:56]

• Upcoming New York State vote on outpatient cardiology could unlock major operational growth.
  • Cardiology is among the fastest-growing ASC specialties nationwide, with 25–26 new cardiology ASCs in the past year.
  • New York’s certificate of need (CON) process makes opening ASCs tough, but NY Bariatric Group is actively exploring partnerships with cardiology groups to prepare for regulatory changes.
  • “If New York State approves it, we are in discussions...with several cardiology groups in terms of potentially partnering with them and seeing if we can have that available at our ASC.” — Vijay Bachani [05:32]

Strategic Growth over the Next 12 Months

[06:10 – 08:09]

• Existing ASC Footprint: Four highly profitable ASCs but with available capacity.
• Unique Capabilities: Facilities and staff can accommodate higher BMI patients (cutoff up to 55 or 60, compared to 40 elsewhere).
  • Specialized infrastructure: reinforced toilets, waiting room furniture, OR tables, anesthesiology competency.
• Diversification: Plan to expand to orthopedics and spine by hiring new surgeons; exploring new specialties with synergy to bariatrics.
• Partnerships & Direct Employer Deals: Growth via bundled agreements and direct outreach to employers.
• Market Tailwinds: Outpatient trend and bundled pricing solutions help attract volume from cost-sensitive payers/employers.
  • “We think there's opportunity in trying to get volume of cases that cannot be done at other ASCs...we're pretty excited about our diversification efforts.” — Vijay Bachani [07:06]

Practical Advice and Partnership Strategies

[08:19 – 09:29]

• Market Outlook: Very optimistic (“bullish”) on the ASC space, especially as more states reconsider restrictive CON laws.
• Critical Success Factors: Need not just facilities, but strong execution on:
  • Building referral volume
  • Negotiating with payers
  • Operational expertise
• “Although the idea of an ASC...makes a lot of sense, it's really, really hard. So you definitely want to partner with folks that have done it before.” — Vijay Bachani [08:55]
• Practices in states loosening CON laws should explore ASC opportunities, but seek experienced partners to avoid common pitfalls.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the challenge for independents:
  “It's very difficult, I think, for the independent physician practice...they're not going to get rates from the payers.” — Vijay Bachani [03:32]
• On strategic advantage:
  “Because we can accommodate...patients with a higher BMI...there's opportunity in trying to get volume of cases that cannot be done at other ASCs.” — Vijay Bachani [07:06]
• On partnership:
  “Although the idea of an ASC...makes a lot of sense, it's really, really hard. So you definitely want to partner with folks that have done it before.” — Vijay Bachani [08:55]

Important Timestamps

• [01:03] — Vijay’s professional background
• [02:48] — Healthcare and ASC trends
• [04:36] — New York state’s potential shift on outpatient cardiology
• [06:10] — Growth, capacity, and new specialty expansion plans
• [08:19] — Advice to practices and value of experienced partnerships

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is energetic and practical, with Vijay offering both strategic vision and on-the-ground advice. The episode underscores the complexity and opportunity in ASC growth, encourages proactive adaptation to regulatory shifts, and champions the business case for specialization and partnership.

Listeners gain an insider’s perspective on how a large practice identifies and leverages opportunities in a challenging, fast-changing healthcare environment.