The percentage of primary care physicians affiliated with hospitals nearly doubled between 2009 and 2022, rising from 25.2% to 47.9%, according to a study published Jan. 17 in JAMA Health Forum.
The researchers analyzed data from IQVIA to track the affiliation trends of PCPs with hospitals over the 13-year period. They also used PitchBook to examine private equity firm involvement and analyzed 226.6 million negotiated prices in 2022 for evaluation and management office visits across four major insurers: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare.
Here are five more findings from the study:
1. By 2022, 1.5% of PCPs were affiliated with private equity firms, reflecting a smaller but growing trend.
2. Florida and Texas had the highest proportion of PCPs affiliated with private equity-acquired practices, while North Dakota and Wisconsin led in the proportion of hospital-affiliated PCPs.
3. Compared to independent practices, negotiated prices for office visits were 10.7% higher ($14.91 more) for hospital-affiliated PCPs and 8% higher ($9.56 more) for PE-affiliated practices.
4. Average negotiated prices for new patient visits were highest for hospital-affiliated PCPs at $180, compared to $155 for PE-affiliated practices and $147 for independent PCPs.
5. Primary care practices affiliated with hospitals accounted for over $10.8 billion in commercial spending on office visits in 2022.