Guide to Selling a Speech & Occupational Therapy Integration Practice in Alaska

For owners of integrated Speech and Occupational Therapy practices in Alaska, the current market presents a significant opportunity. M&A activity is strong, and buyers are paying premium valuations for well-run practices. However, realizing your practice’s full value requires careful preparation and an understanding of today’s market. This guide provides a look at the landscape, the key factors that drive value, and the steps to a successful sale.

Market Overview

Selling a healthcare practice in Alaska comes with a unique set of local dynamics. The state’s well-documented need for more healthcare workers means that established, well-staffed practices are particularly attractive. Buyers see them as stable platforms in a market with high demand for services. Furthermore, with Medicaid in Alaska covering speech therapy, practices with a healthy patient base and sound reimbursement channels are viewed favorably.

A Unique Healthcare Landscape

Unlike other states, Alaska’s geography and population distribution create distinct operational models. A practice that has proven its ability to serve its community effectively is a valuable asset. Buyers, especially those from outside the state, understand this and look for practices with a strong local footing and reputation.

The Local Data Challenge

While the national M&A market for therapy practices is robust, specific transaction data for Alaska is not always readily available. This can make it difficult for an owner to know what their practice is truly worth. This lack of transparency means that connecting with the right network of national buyers, who are actively seeking opportunities in markets like Alaska, is very important.

Key Considerations

Beyond your balance sheet, buyers look closely at the operational health of your practice. We see that practices demonstrating seamless coordination between speech and occupational therapy services often command 15-20% higher valuations. Similarly, those with therapist retention rates above 85% signal a strong culture and stable operations, which buyers prize. It is also wise to review your payer mix. Reducing heavy reliance on a single insurance provider lessens perceived risk and can strengthen your valuation multiple. Finally, telehealth is an evolving area in Alaska. While it has faced reimbursement challenges, its future potential is a point of discussion in any sale.

Market Activity

The national market for integrated therapy practices is more active than it has been in years. The first quarter of 2025 saw 14 transactions in the space, the highest volume since 2022. This activity is driven by two main groups who could be interested in your Alaska practice.

1. Strategic Buyers. These are often larger therapy organizations looking to expand their geographic footprint. They are looking for established practices in markets like Alaska to gain an immediate presence and a skilled team.
2. Private Equity-Backed Platforms. These groups acquire practices to build regional or national networks. In Q1 2025, three of these deals were “secondary buyouts,” where one private equity firm sells a platform to another. This shows a high level of confidence and capital flowing into the sector.

This intense buyer interest creates a competitive environment for sellers. When multiple buyers are interested, you have more leverage to negotiate better terms and a higher price.

Sale Process

Many owners think selling a practice is like listing a property. In reality, a successful transaction is a carefully managed process that begins long before you talk to a single buyer. We find that the best outcomes happen when owners start preparing 12 to 24 months before they plan to sell. This provides time to build a compelling financial story, clean up records, and identify any operational areas to improve. The process generally moves from confidential marketing to a small, curated list of qualified buyers, through initial negotiations, and into a formal due diligence phase. This is where buyers verify every detail of your practice. A well-managed process protects your confidentiality and ensures you are negotiating from a position of strength.

Valuation

So, what is your practice actually worth? The value of a therapy practice is typically calculated as a multiple of its Adjusted EBITDA. This isn’t just the net income on your tax return. It’s your true operational profit after normalizing for any owner-specific or one-time expenses. For medium-sized, multi-location practices in your field, we are currently seeing valuation multiples ranging from 6x to 9x Adjusted EBITDA. A higher multiple is awarded to practices with strong integration, low staff turnover, and diverse revenue streams.

Understanding your practice’s value is more than just a formula. It’s about telling the right story with your numbers.

Post-Sale Considerations

Closing the deal is a milestone, but it’s not the end of the road. Your transition strategy should also plan for what comes next. The structure of your sale has major implications for your after-tax proceeds. It can also be designed to protect your team and your legacy. For owners who wish to remain involved, some deals include an “equity rollover,” where you retain a minority stake in the new, larger company. This gives you the chance for a second, often larger, financial return when that company is sold again years later. These structures can address concerns about losing control and help ensure the practice you built continues to thrive. Thinking through these elements beforehand is key to achieving your personal and financial goals.