Minnesota: Provider Consolidation Often Leads to Physician Price Increases
(WorldNews Health)

Across the U.S, large, hospital-based health systems frequently acquire smaller physician and clinic groups in order to offer new services, gain patients, and meet performance mandates of the Affordable Care Act. But a new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shows that the acquisitions often lead to higher prices for services in those newly acquired clinics and across the health system. `When prices go up for a system-wide cause like provider consolidation, then insurance premiums will go up - and customers...