October 1, 2015
Merger Mania in Medicine – What Will It Cost Us?

Merger Mania in Medicine – What Will It Cost Us?

The federal government is currently debating whether the big six health insurance companies in the U.S. will soon become the big four. Aetna and Humana have announced plans to merge, as have Anthem and Cigna. The American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association strongly oppose the health insurance mergers, saying they will reduce competition in consumer markets.

Meanwhile, healthcare provider groups continue to consolidate. Small hospitals either get swallowed up by larger ones or risk going out of business. The federal government even seems to be encouraging provider consolidation, by establishing incentives for them to form accountable care organizations, or ACOs.

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