4 Healthcare Trends Unlikely to Budge Regardless of PPACA Decision

Here are four healthcare trends unlikely to change, regardless of the ruling.

1. Consolidation. The report discusses DaVita’s recent purchase of physician group HealthCare Partners as one example of many. In the first quarter of 2012, there were 23 hospital deals announced, one more than in the first quarter of 2011, which was a year with many health-care transactions, according to the report.
2. New payment models. Hospitals and physicians are collaborating on new payment models; health insurers and providers are doing the same. For instance, Aetna announced last week a joint venture with Virginia’s Inova Health System to sell health plans. Many in the industry also believe accountable care organizations or similar models will continue no matter how the Court decides on the healthcare law Thursday.
3. Digitizing health information. Companies that offer technology or care models to improve oversight of patients and improve clinical quality and consistency will likely survive any Supreme Court ruling, according to the report.
4. Focusing more on individual healthcare consumers. The trend toward embracing consumerism in healthcare and focusing on individual consumers of care will likely continue, according to the report.

However, the report says that if the Supreme Court overturns part or all of the PPACA, the pace at which these trends move forward could slow.

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