Private equity and hospital-affiliated physicians are more expensive than independent docs

Medical Economics January 17, 2025
Todd Shryock

The number of doctors working for hospitals and private equity-backed firms is on the rise

A study from researchers at Brown University found that nearly half of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the U.S. are now affiliated with hospitals, and private equity (PE) firms are rapidly gaining a foothold in certain regions. These affiliations have significant implications for the prices patients pay for care, according to the findings published in the analysis of physician ownership trends and health care costs. The results were reported in JAMA Network.

Key Findings

Researchers found an increase in corporate ownership that resulted in higher prices for patients, but the trend varied by region. The study found:

Growing Corporate Ownership: