Amid rapid consolidation and declining physician autonomy, Charleston, S.C.-based Articularis Healthcare Group has built a model to keep community rheumatologists independent while giving them the scale and resources to thrive.
Founded 10 years ago from a single practice, Articularis has grown into the nation’s largest rheumatology private practice. Its “portable” model is designed to work across markets, a critical advantage as the American College of Rheumatology projects significant workforce shortages by 2030.
Articularis began when a group of South Carolina rheumatologists realized that collaboration could deliver the economies of scale needed to survive in an increasingly complex healthcare environment, Managing Partner Colin Edgerton, MD, told Becker’s.
The result was a “supergroup” structure where multiple practices are linked under shared contracting, technology and operational systems, but with local physicians retaining full authority over patient care.
“We wanted to do something that didn’t take that away but augmented it and kept it alive and robust,” Dr. Edgerton said. “That’s reflected in our mission statement, which is supporting community rheumatology and doing whatever it takes to keep community rheumatologists in their communities providing care, because we believe private practice is the highest quality, lowest cost and best for patients.”
This approach stands in contrast to many large hospital and multispecialty systems, where financial priorities can dictate care.
“Despite our size and multiple practices across multiple states, we all operate as if we were in a two- or three-doctor practice, putting the patient first,” he said.
A defining feature of Articularis is its refusal to take private equity or outside investment. While many physician specialties have seen waves of PE-backed rollups, Dr. Edgerton said the group is focused on building something sustainable.
“We’re not bolting together practices quickly with private equity money and hoping to flip them,” he said. “We don’t accept external investment — we’re not PE or venture capital supported — and we’re committed to staying that way.”
The model has proven attractive to younger physicians seeking stability without sacrificing autonomy. It has also offered relief to established rheumatology groups struggling under the weight of administrative demands.
By absorbing back-office functions, from pharmaceutical acquisition contracts to billing and compliance, Articularis allows physicians to return their full focus to patient care.
“You get to come back to seeing patients, which is what you want to do — not because you can’t handle the business, but because you don’t want to do it every day,” he said. “Many of these physicians understand business very well, they’ve run their own, but they’d rather use their skills where they’re most qualified.”
When it comes to expansion, Articularis is deliberate and capacity-driven.
“Our growth is principled,” Dr. Edgerton said. “We’re committed to not overgrowing our capability. We deliver what we say we will deliver.”