Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are healthcare facilities that provide surgical procedures on an outpatient basis and typically do not require an overnight or lengthy stay in a hospital. Examples of this include cataract surgery, upper GI endoscopies, and colonoscopies. Total joint replacement surgeries have also been migrating to ASCs.

ASCs are big business. From the creation of the first ASC in 1970, the industry has grown so rapidly that, as of July 2016, there were 5,486 ASC facilities certified by Medicare, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

In the urgent care industry, a modern David and Goliath situation has been unfolding.  I am referring, of course, to the fact that smaller urgent care centers are increasingly being acquired by larger enterprises.

Armed with seemingly nothing other than quality staff and a slingshot, how can such small enterprises face off against their much larger adversaries, who often have huge teams of advisors advocating and negotiating on their behalf?  What they need is a level playing field.

Here are five things you need to do right away if you are considering selling (or merging) your urgent care center.