SCA Health Expands Footprint Through Partnerships with 60+ Health Systems

Optum's ASC arm leverages national scale and ambulatory expertise to help health systems extend outpatient networks.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Deerfield, Illinois-based SCA Health, a subsidiary of Optum, is one of the largest ambulatory surgical center (ASC) operators in the country. The company has steadily grown its footprint through joint ventures with over 60 health systems nationwide, with roughly half of its ASC facilities including a health system partner.

Why it matters

As reimbursement pressures mount and more procedures shift to lower-cost outpatient settings, SCA Health positions itself as an ambulatory-focused partner that can help health systems expand their outpatient networks without shouldering the full operational burden alone. This strategy aligns with broader industry trends toward value-based care and cost containment.

The details

SCA Health supports health systems in designing and operating ASC networks that fit into the system's broader market and network strategy, improve operational efficiency, and lower the total cost of care. The company's national scale allows it to share best practices from other markets and connect the dots within the specialist landscape to help systems respond to reimbursement pressures.

  • As of late 2024, Optum's subsidiaries include 423 ASCs.
  • SCA Health has more than 370 specialty clinical care locations, more than 400 physician practice clinics, and approximately 9,700 physicians.

The players

SCA Health

A subsidiary of Optum and one of the largest ASC operators in the country, partnering with over 60 health systems nationwide.

Matthew Humbarger

Group vice president of payer engagement and strategy at SCA Health.

Lindsay Lowder

Group vice president of operational innovation and strategy at SCA Health.

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What they’re saying

“Health systems excel at acute care, and our partnerships are strengthened by the ambulatory expertise we bring.”

— Matthew Humbarger, Group vice president of payer engagement and strategy (Becker's)

“We can share what's working in other markets and help systems respond to reimbursement pressures by connecting the dots within the specialist landscape.”

— Lindsay Lowder, Group vice president of operational innovation and strategy (Becker's)

The takeaway

SCA Health's partnership model allows health systems to expand their outpatient networks and leverage the company's national scale and ambulatory expertise, which is increasingly important as the healthcare industry shifts toward value-based care and cost containment.