This week we continue our conversation with Peter Magas, managing director at Beecken Petty O’Keefe and Co. Peter joined BPOC in 2008. He serves or has served on the board of Absolute Dental, Hospital Physician Partners, ISG Holdings, Medical Solutions and Paragon Medical. Founded in 1996, BPOC ranks among the country’s oldest private equity management firms that specialize exclusively in healthcare. Second of two parts – View part one.

The Lead Left: Do you like urgent care?

Peter Magas: Urgent care is a great alternative, for patients and payors, to the emergency room.  As an investment, it really depends on the model and geographic market.  In most markets, I think the visits are transactional as opposed to a replacement to primary care – given that dynamic, the ability to attract sufficient foot traffic and staff appropriately for fluctuations in visits is important to running profitability.

I’ll share a quick anecdote:  while we were on vacation, my four-year old fell and badly cut her lip as we were rushing out the door to catch our flight. Once the hysteria subsided, I searched for well-rated urgent care clinics on the way to the airport and called ahead.  They had us registered and in front of a PA within five minutes, who glued the cut and had us back out the door in under twenty minutes. That would never happen in an ER.