PubMed · 2012 · 25 citations · 0 references
Health ProfessionsHealth AdministrationHealth Services AdministrationHealthcare AdministrationHospital AdministrationMergersHealthcare AcquisitionsHealthcare MergersHospital AcquisitionsHospital MergersHospital ReimbursementHospital SystemsCompetitive Response To MergersHospital Consolidation PolicyHospital Merger EffectsHospital Network IntegrationHospital Network ManagementHospital ReformNegotiated Payment RatesPayment
Healthcare reform will impact hospital consolidation in three key areas: Payment rates will decrease, indirectly encouraging consolidation by forcing hospitals to find new ways to reduce costs and increase negotiating clout with suppliers and payers. The cost of doing business will increase as hospitals spend more on compliance, technology, and physician employment. The ACO model will encourage hospital network formation by rewarding integrated healthcare systems that can reduce costs and improve quality.