The Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on the Healthcare System

Healthcare acquisitions and mergers are expected to shift back to pre-COVID rates soon. In fact, most large healthcare systems experienced strong financial gains over the past few years and are well-situated to acquire smaller hospitals, medical/diagnostic facilities, and physician groups. In addition, payers are moving to purchase medical practices and pharmacy networks are also operating in this space.  

 While there are many benefits to a merger, there are also significant challenges that come with the change, including how care is provided, as well as received. In this eBrief, we discuss:  

• What patients should expect 

• What physicians should expect 

• What hospitals should expect 

• The number of hospital mergers and acquisitions from 2010-2021