Hospital for Special Surgery

What Hospital for Special Surgery does

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a New York-based not-for-profit academic medical center founded in 1863 and recognized as the leading U.S. specialty hospital for musculoskeletal care, ranked #1 in orthopedics for 16 consecutive years and top-5 in rheumatology for 34 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. The institution employs 5,001–10,000 staff including 440+ physicians, 160 surgeons, 300+ full-time researchers, and 55 federally funded Principal Investigators, and it performs approximately 45,000 surgeries per year across its Manhattan flagship and Kellen Tower campus, regional physician offices and ambulatory surgery centers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida, and clinical alliances with Stamford Health, Jupiter Medical Center, NCH Naples, and UHealth/University of Miami.

HSS generates revenue primarily through patient care services — including orthopedic and rheumatology visits, imaging, inpatient and outpatient surgery, and rehabilitation — reimbursed by major commercial insurers (Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, Florida Blue), Medicare, Medicaid, and self-pay. Additional revenue streams include HSS Perform (a B2B employer channel offering prevention, triage, concierge, second opinion, and center-of-excellence services), HSS Foundation philanthropy (supporting $195M+ in capital expansion including Kellen Tower), the RightMove virtual musculoskeletal platform, the Alliance for Innovation in Movement (AIM) with Deerfield Management, and the new national ambulatory surgery center platform co-built with General Atlantic via the acquisition of Legent Health.

HSS operates a layered technology stack spanning Palantir Foundry/AIP for hospital operations, Ema AI agents for patient scheduling and triage, the HSS Digital Twin Platform for 3D surgical simulation, computer-assisted and robotic orthopedic surgery, and a national rehabilitation network of 1,500+ therapy providers. Research output exceeds 1,200 publications per year with 90+ patient registries and 100+ active clinical trials, supported by academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medical College. Sports medicine partnerships with the UFC, New York Giants, Mets, Knicks, Red Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, USA Basketball, and NYRR, plus collaborations with Peloton and international patient services, extend brand reach across consumer, professional, and global audiences.

Name

Hospital for Special Surgery

Legal name

Hospital for Special Surgery

Website

https://www.hss.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1863

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Hospital for Special Surgery is a not-for-profit academic medical center founded in 1863, specializing in musculoskeletal care across orthopedics, rheumatology, and rehabilitation, and serving patients through its New York flagship and regional physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, and clinical alliances in NY, NJ, CT, and FL.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Orthopedic Hospital Services

NAICS

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (62211), General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (622110), Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers (621493)

SIC

Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062), Services-Hospitals (8060)

akta.pro primary industry

Subacute Care Facilities (HLAFAFAE)

Keywords

• Orthopedic Surgery Services
• Rheumatology Care
• Musculoskeletal Healthcare
• Sports Medicine Treatment
• Joint Replacement Surgery

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices23 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Patient Care Services: Primary revenue stream from orthopedic, rheumatology, and rehabilitation patient care — including surgeries (45,000 in 2025), physician visits, imaging, physical therapy, and ambulatory surgery centers. Reimbursed via insurance (Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.) and self-pay.
2. HSS Perform (Employer Solutions): B2B employer services including second opinion, care concierge, onsite/near-site clinics, and center-of-excellence referrals — offered at no additional charge or covered through employer health plans.
3. Philanthropic Donations and Grants: Charitable giving via HSS Foundation (EIN# 13-6714749) including major gifts (e.g., $10M from Steers for Digital Twin, $10M from Stavros Niarchos Foundation for Kellen Tower), annual events like BIKE HSS, and planned giving. Supported $195M+ in philanthropic donations for capital expansion.
4. Alliance for Innovation in Movement (AIM): Joint alliance with Deerfield Management Company to develop medical devices, therapeutics, and AI-enabled software focused on musculoskeletal health and longevity.
5. ASC Platform JV (with General Atlantic): National platform of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) launched with General Atlantic via acquisition of Legent Health, generating fee/service revenue from outpatient orthopedic and spine surgery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Core offering

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is an academic medical center specializing in musculoskeletal health, delivering orthopedic surgery (45,000 surgeries per year), rheumatology, rehabilitation, and sports medicine care. It operates a multi-state network of physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, and same-day orthopedic clinics, supported by rehabilitation, virtual care, and employer health programs.

Product overview

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) operates as a specialty hospital-and-modules architecture focused on musculoskeletal health. The core offering is its hospital and specialty care services (orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and rehabilitation), extended through multiple digital platforms including MyHSS (patient portal), HSS Orthopedics Now (same-day care), and HSS Perform (employer wellness program). Supporting technology products include the HSS Digital Twin Platform (3D surgical planning), an AI Chatbot for joint replacement preparation, and the RightMove virtual MSK platform. Educational and content products include the HSS Health Library / Move Better Feel Better content platform and eAcademy continuing education platform. Innovation efforts are coordinated through the HSS Innovation Institute, while specialty care centers like the HSS Sports Medicine Institute, Complex Spine & Scoliosis Center, and HSS Lerner Children's Pavilion round out the portfolio. HSS extends its reach through the HSS Rehabilitation National Network of over 1,500 therapy providers and operates AI deployments including Ema for patient scheduling and Palantir Foundry/AIP for hospital operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MyHSS: Patient portal and mobile app for messaging doctors, viewing medical records, accessing test results, paying bills, and uploading radiology images.
• HSS Sports Medicine Institute
• HSS Perform
• HSS Lerner Children's Pavilion
• HSS Back in the Game
• RightMove

Named customers14 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability14 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Lumexa ImagingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Lumexa Imaging announced a joint venture with HSS to expand outpatient imaging services in the New York City metro area — Lumexa's ninth such joint venture. Lumexa operates over 190 outpatient imaging centers with 5,000+ employees and conducted ~4 million procedures in 2025. The partnership evaluates future outpatient imaging locations across the region.
• UFCmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 April 2026UFC and HSS announced a multiyear renewal of their partnership, with HSS continuing as UFC's official hospital and orthopedic consultant. The partnership focuses on athlete health, injury prevention, treatment, and recovery, with HSS maintaining a significant presence at UFC facilities and media collaborations.
• EmamajorTechnology or Integration · 28 January 2026HSS announced a collaboration with Ema to deploy AI agents for improving patient access and care delivery. The AI system aims to reduce wait times, enhance appointment accuracy, and facilitate faster connections to specialists, with initial deployment covering patient scheduling and triage.
• Jupiter Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2026Strategic alliance to expand access to orthopedic and musculoskeletal care in South Florida. HSS physicians perform surgeries at JMC's new Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical Institute; patients gain access to joint replacement, sports medicine, spine surgery, and rehabilitation services. Positions JMC as premier orthopedic destination in Palm Beach County.
• Perry InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Hosted hands-on orthopedic surgery workshop for high school students from the New York tri-state area to introduce careers in orthopedics and engineering. Activities included surgical procedures and biomechanics, with participation from multiple high schools.
• EmblemHealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 December 2025EmblemHealth reached a new agreement with HSS to include HSS in its healthcare network for the New York City Employees (NYCE) PPO health plan starting January 1, 2026. The agreement provides city workers access to high-quality orthopedic care and an expanded provider network.
• Deerfield Management CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2025HSS and Deerfield Management launched the Alliance for Innovation in Movement (AIM) to develop medical devices, therapeutics, and AI-enabled software focused on musculoskeletal health and longevity. The alliance combines HSS clinical, research, and operational expertise with Deerfield's investment and innovation capabilities to accelerate technology development and validation.
• Weill Cornell Medical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2025HSS physicians serve as faculty members of Weill Cornell Medical College — long-standing academic affiliation enriching clinical care, education, and research. HSS's top-ranked orthopedic residency program is part of this academic relationship.
• Ohio State Wexner Medical CenterminorOthers · 1 November 2025Referenced alongside HSS as peer healthcare organization piloting or deploying AI solutions such as ambient scribes and operating room scheduling software.
• UC San Diego HealthminorOthers · 1 November 2025Referenced alongside HSS as peer healthcare organization piloting or deploying AI solutions such as ambient scribes and operating room scheduling software.
• PelotonmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 October 2025First-of-its-kind collaboration to develop injury prevention and recovery content for Peloton members — instructor-led classes led by HSS experts, rental package for patients recovering from injury/surgery, and an HSS Member Concierge service facilitating access to orthopedic specialists across NY, NJ, CT, and FL.
• PalantircoreTechnology or Integration · 20 October 2025HSS demonstrated use of Palantir's Foundry and AIP platforms at AIPCon 8 to solve complex operational challenges. HSS reported increasing appeal success rates from 68% to 99% using the Palantir AI deployment, representing one of the fastest health system deployments.
• Stamford HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration partner operating HSS Orthopedics with Stamford Health across multiple CT locations (Stamford, Westport, Wilton, Hamden, plus Stamford Hospital and Tully Health Center). Stamford Hospital at One Hospital Plaza, Stamford, CT serves as flagship collaboration site.
• NCH (Naples Community Hospital)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration partner — operates HSS at NCH location at 11190 Health Park Blvd, Building 2, Naples, FL. Phone: 239.624.1700.
• UHealth (University of Miami Health System)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration partner — operates UHealth HSS Orthopedics at 2111 SoLé Mia Way, North Miami, FL.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves18 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Mayo Clinic: Top-ranked U.S. academic medical center with deep specialty care capabilities including orthopedics. Like HSS, Mayo competes for high-acuity and international patients and consistently appears in U.S. News top rankings, though it is a much broader multi-specialty system.
• Cleveland Clinic: Nationally ranked hospital with a strong orthopedics program and academic research base. Cleveland Clinic is a direct competitor for top orthopedic and rheumatology rankings, employer health solutions, and complex specialty referrals, though it operates a much broader service portfolio.
• NYU Langone Health: Major New York-based academic medical system with a top-ranked orthopedic and rheumatology program. Direct geographic competitor in the NYC metro for orthopedic specialty care, employer wellness, and research-driven specialty services.
• Rush University Medical Center: Midwest academic medical center with a top-ranked orthopedic program. Rush competes with HSS for national orthopedic rankings, employer wellness contracts, and complex case referrals.
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Los Angeles-based academic medical center with a strong orthopedics program and significant research output. Comparable to HSS in scale, employer health solutions, and high-acuity specialty care, though on the West Coast.

Regional players

• Hospital for Special Surgery Florida (HSS Florida): Effectively HSS's own regional extension, but a relevant peer for understanding the Florida orthopedic market where HSS competes with regional orthopedic specialty providers.

Direct peers

• Steadman Clinic: Specialty orthopedic and sports medicine clinic in Vail, Colorado, focused on high-acuity sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. A direct peer in orthopedic specialty care with similar brand-led, outcomes-focused positioning.
• Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center: Specialty orthopedic and sports medicine practice in Birmingham, Alabama, with elite athlete partnerships. Comparable to HSS in its focus on sports medicine, surgeon quality, and high-acuity orthopedic care.

Emerging players

• Hinge Health: Leading virtual MSK platform serving employers and health plans. HSS's RightMove platform directly competes with Hinge Health in digital MSK care, second-opinion services, and employer contracting.
• Sword Health: Virtual MSK and physical therapy platform targeting employers and health plans. Competes with HSS's RightMove and HSS Perform offerings in digital-first MSK care delivery and employer wellness.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/drjordanmetzl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/hspecialsurgery
• Facebookfacebook.com/hspecialsurgery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hospital-for-special-surgery
• Instagraminstagram.com/hspecialsurgery

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

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M&A1 record

Investments6 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hospital for Special Surgery