Becker's Healthcare January 18, 2022
Physician practices are selling to hospitals and corporate entities at an accelerated rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But what happens to healthcare when there is increased consolidation and less competition? Several studies over the past decade have examined these trends. Six notes:
1. The cost of care increases. The most concentrated healthcare markets where physicians are part of health systems charge fees 14 percent to 30 percent higher than in the least concentrated markets, according to a study published in The Journal of Law & Economics. Physician costs in highly concentrated markets were also higher than physicians practicing in the least concentrated markets.
2. The price of health insurance increases. In California, premium prices were up 12 percent in markets...
Today's Sponsors
Today's Sponsor