Vertical Integration in Healthcare Quietly Increases Patient Bills
Source Summary
Healthcare providers increasingly direct patients to higher-priced facilities owned by the same organization and require purchases from affiliated pharmacies, which may not stock prescribed medications or offer the lowest prices. These vertical integration practices result in thousands of dollars in additional costs for patients.
Why it matters
Vertical integration in healthcare creates financial barriers for patients by limiting their choice of providers and pharmacies while increasing out-of-pocket costs.
