The American Medical Group Association reported its 11th-straight year of growth with the addition of 45 member groups in 2011.

According to a news release, about 8,500 physicians practice in those medical groups. And already in the first two weeks of the new year, 15 organizations representing some 1,200 doctors have joined the AMGA, the release noted.

AMGA membership now totals more than 400 medical groups, independent practice associations and integrated delivery systems representing about 125,000 physicians. In a late November interview focused on the events of 2011, AMGA President and CEO Donald Fisher told Modern Physician that the association's number of member groups would be higher but that industry consolidation has led to AMGA members acquiring other member groups.

Fisher credits the AMGA's leadership in promoting the accountable care organization concept as a key reason for the organization's growth.

"That we are in the right place at the right time is no accident—a lot of hard work has gone into cultivating an environment that recognizes the value of coordinated, accountable care," Fisher said in the release. "But there is still much work to be done to prove that our model does indeed deliver the most value for patients. Being an AMGA member will continue to be a key component for medical groups as they strive to evolve into high-performing care organizations."

The Alexandria, Va.-based AMGA also moved into new headquarters in 2011 after acquiring the former home of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery for $8 million. The AMGA previously occupied four townhouse units in two different buildings. One of the units has been sold; the other three are still on the market.

"They're sitting there, but that's OK," Fisher said in November. "We're doing fine."