ABSTRACT
This Viewpoint discusses how and why cross-market hospital mergers are different than prototypical within-market mergers in their effects on patients and communities, why the trend may be accelerating, and future policy and research directions.
Subject(s)
Antitrust Laws , Economic Competition , Health Facility Merger , Economic Competition/legislation & jurisprudence , Economic Competition/trends , Hospitals , United States , Health Facility Merger/economics , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Merger/trendsSubject(s)
Health Facility Merger , Hospitals , Referral and Consultation/organization & administration , Economic Competition , Economics, Hospital , Government Regulation , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Hospital Administration , Referral and Consultation/legislation & jurisprudence , United StatesSubject(s)
Economic Competition/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Care Sector/organization & administration , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Antitrust Laws , Health Care Reform/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Care Sector/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Merger/economics , Health Policy/legislation & jurisprudence , United StatesABSTRACT
To succeed in the assisted reproductive technology industry, physician owners of fertility practices have to develop a wide array of business skills and expertise. In today's business world, a natural next step for many assisted reproductive practices is exploring potential mergers, sales, or acquisitions. This article will explore what factors physician owners of fertility practices should consider before pursuing a potential sale or merger; how to prepare for such a transaction; and what to expect once a transaction is underway.
Subject(s)
Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence , Fertility Clinics/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Physicians/legislation & jurisprudence , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/legislation & jurisprudence , Commerce/economics , Fertility Clinics/economics , Health Facility Merger/economics , Humans , Physicians/economics , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/economicsABSTRACT
The evolving healthcare landscape creates unique challenges for private practitioners. They experience the same issues that face physicians in general - including increased regulatory/documentation burdens and downward financial pressures - but without the safety nets that exist in larger healthcare systems. Costs are born more directly, as there are fewer providers over which to spread expenditures. Financial reserves are less robust, making margins thinner to maintain profitability. Guaranteed referral streams are absent, requiring additional effort and creative solutions to maintain patient volume. As hospital systems expand, private practitioners must remain nimble, while maintaining excellent service and outcomes, in order to stay ahead.
Subject(s)
Government Regulation , Hand/surgery , Orthopedics , Private Practice , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Ownership/legislation & jurisprudence , Private Practice/legislation & jurisprudence , Private Practice/organization & administration , Quality of Health Care , United StatesSubject(s)
Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Health Facility Merger , Antitrust Laws , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/trends , Forecasting , Government Regulation , Health Facility Administration/trends , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Models, Organizational , United StatesSubject(s)
Accountable Care Organizations/legislation & jurisprudence , Conflict of Interest , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , Patient Care Management/organization & administration , Accountable Care Organizations/economics , Accountable Care Organizations/ethics , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/economics , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Merger/trends , Humans , Medicare/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , United StatesABSTRACT
The vast consolidation among health-care providers in the aftermath of the Affordable Care Act's enactment has led to much debate over the benefits of mergers in the health-care industry. In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission filed motions in federal court to enjoin three hospital mergers in various parts of the country. This amounted to more challenges to hospital mergers in a single year than any year in recent history. Though two of these motions succeeded at the district court level, both were overturned on appeal, which led many to wonder what the effect of these decisions would be on future health-care mergers. While many fear that hospital mergers lead to higher prices for consumers, there are also those who contend that mergers lead to efficiencies, which allow merging parties to utilize resources more effectively, increase the quality of patient care and coordination, and potentially save lives. This Note argues that the possibility of quality-enhancing or life-saving efficiencies is worth the risk that consumers see increased prices. To allow mergers that may realize these types of efficiencies, antitrust enforcement agencies and courts must begin placing greater weight on merging parties' efficiency arguments by easing the current standard. Additionally, in light of new research suggesting that cross-market health-care mergers, or mergers between providers in different geographic markets, affect bargaining dynamics between providers and insurers, this Note argues that parties' relative bargaining power must be considered in agencies' and courts' analyses of the competitive landscape relevant to a merger.
Subject(s)
Antitrust Laws , Economic Competition/legislation & jurisprudence , Efficiency, Organizational/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Quality of Health Care/legislation & jurisprudence , Economics, Hospital , Health Care Sector/legislation & jurisprudence , Hospital Administration , Humans , United States , United States Federal Trade Commission/legislation & jurisprudenceSubject(s)
Antitrust Laws , Economic Competition/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Care Sector/economics , Health Care Sector/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Merger/economics , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Insurance, Health/economics , Insurance, Health/legislation & jurisprudence , Catchment Area, Health/economics , Catchment Area, Health/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Care Costs/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , United StatesABSTRACT
The Aetna-Humana antitrust ruling will complicate any deal involving health insurers with significant Medicare Advantage holdings. That combined with the uncertain future of the ACA mean the industry is likely to see a wave of smaller tie-ups.
Subject(s)
Antitrust Laws , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Insurance, Health , United StatesABSTRACT
It reads like an ugly divorce. Court records show two former partners accusing each other of lies and sabotage.
Subject(s)
Antitrust Laws , Health Facility Merger/legislation & jurisprudence , Insurance Carriers/economics , Insurance Carriers/legislation & jurisprudence , Government Regulation , Insurance, Health , United StatesABSTRACT
Beyond customary business diligence, mergers in the healthcare arena must clear an array of federal and state regulatory hurdles and compliance risks that have grown more pronounced in recent years. Primary challenge are posed by: Antitrust issues. Licensing and compliance practices. Data privacy and security. Payment and revenue stability. Cultural fit and post-merger integration.