Prices rose 11% at ambulatory surgery centers after they were bought by Optum, probably because the newly acquired providers were able to negotiate higher prices with insurers, according to a new study highlighting how vertical consolidation drives up healthcare spending. That increase translates to $10.1 million more in annual spending for just seven common procedures in the two dozen ASC markets analyzed. Extrapolating that estimate to all ASC services suggests the full financial impact could exceed $67 million each year, the study published in Health Affairs found.
Read the full article: Prices Rise at Surgery Centers Acquired by Optum: Study //
Source: https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/optum-surgery-center-buys-asc-price-inflation-study-health-affairs-cornell/811160/