The Aspen Group Leads New Era of Consumer-First Healthcare, Supporting 9M+ Patient Visits in 2024

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aspen Group (TAG), a leader in revolutionizing access to healthcare, marked 2024 as a defining year, responding to fundamental shifts in how Americans approach and access healthcare. Through its network of 1,400+ independently owned locations across 46 states and five brands, TAG supported providers in delivering care to more than nine million patients while transforming how people experience healthcare – making it more accessible and personalized.

"Last year was a pivotal one for The Aspen Group. Not only did we expand access to care for millions of people and their pets, but we also made major investments in everything from our learning programs to the technology that powers the TAG family of brands into the future," said Bob Fontana, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TAG. "I'm looking forward to the continued transformation of the business as we strengthen our commitment to meeting changing consumer expectations in the communities that the providers we support serve." 

The company's consumer-first strategy delivered exceptional results, driving 13 percent revenue growth across its diverse healthcare brands – far outpacing average healthcare industry growth rates. This strong performance spanned the company's market-leading portfolio, including Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and the newly rebranded Lovet Pet Health Care.

Investing in Next-Generation Care Delivery

Excellent patient experiences start with empowered healthcare professionals, which is why TAG doubled down on innovative training and development initiatives in 2024. The Aspen Group University (TAG U) celebrated its first anniversary, launching targeted programs designed to equip providers with both excellence in their delivery of care and modern patient engagement skills. Most notably, the Aspen Doctor Learning Journey program achieved an industry-leading 95 percent retention rate over a 28-month period – significantly outperforming the healthcare sector's average turnover rates.

The TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence delivered dual breakthroughs in community impact and clinical advancement. The Center delivered $10 million in free dental care to Illinois' underserved patients while training an initial cohort of hundreds of dentists in advanced implant therapy. These clinicians brought their new expertise home, expanding access to dental implants across 100+ previously underserved communities.

These achievements earned TAG consecutive recognition among the Top 50 Learning & Development Teams by OnCon Icon Awards, validating the company's position as a healthcare education pioneer.

Meeting Patients Where They Are

Each TAG-supported brand evolved its service model to align with changing consumer preferences:

Aspen Dental enhanced accessibility by opening 45 new independently owned practices and servicing nearly 7 million patient appointments. Much of the growth came in the tooth replacement category in response to growing patient preference for implants and significant investments in implant training. The number of implants placed by Aspen Dental providers grew nearly 29% year-over-year across the network. The brand's commitment to removing barriers to care continued through its Healthy Mouth Movement, which has provided $36 million in donated care to veterans and underserved individuals. Responding to growing demand for aesthetic dentistry, Aspen Dental upgraded its Motto Clear Aligners with advanced materials for improved comfort and efficiency.

ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers expanded its footprint to 103 locations and restored smiles for more than 26,000 patients. Virtual Smile Design technology was introduced across the network, addressing the modern patient's desire for visualization and involvement in their treatment planning. Additionally, the centers introduced the Implant Denture treatment option nationwide to provide more comprehensive solutions for patients.

WellNow Urgent Care strengthened its commitment to convenient care by opening 15 new centers and facilitating over 2.5 million patient visits. The brand's return to the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield network expanded accessibility for hundreds of thousands of New York residents, reinforcing TAG's mission of breaking down barriers to quality care.

Chapter Aesthetic Studio responded to evolving wellness priorities by expanding its service offerings beyond traditional aesthetics to include comprehensive wellness solutions like hormone replacement therapy and sexual health treatments. The brand served over 45,000 guests through 110,000+ visits, establishing itself among the top 1% of Xeomin providers nationwide.

Recognizing the growing importance of pet care in family health, AZPetVet transformed into Lovet Pet Health Care, beginning national expansion with its first location outside Arizona in Chicago's Fulton Market. Lovet veterinarians cared for more than 166,000 pets while implementing innovative programs to support veterinary professional development.

Looking Ahead

As TAG enters 2025, the organization is positioning itself to address emerging healthcare priorities across its brand portfolio. The company sees significant opportunities in expanding access to innovative treatments in areas of growing consumer demand, from advanced dental restoration technologies to comprehensive wellness solutions. WellNow Urgent Care is exploring ways to broaden its service offerings to address some of today's most pressing health management needs, while Aspen Dental and ClearChoice continue to evaluate cutting-edge solutions for tooth replacement and dental restoration. Through continued investment in professional development, technology innovation, and service model evolution, TAG is positioned to support healthcare providers so they can continue to deliver exceptional care experiences that align with modern consumer expectations.

ABOUT TAG – THE ASPEN GROUP

The Aspen Group (TAG) was built on the simple idea of bringing better healthcare to more people. TAG supports independent healthcare practices operating more than 1,400 locations in 46 states through five consumer healthcare brands: Aspen Dental®, ClearChoice Dental Implant Center®, WellNow Urgent Care®, Chapter Aesthetic Studio℠ and Lovet Pet Health Care (formerly AZPetVet). Combined, the companies serve more than 35,000 patients a day and more than nine million patients each year. For more information, visit teamtag.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE TAG - The Aspen Group