D4 Published development or research report or study

Physician Prices and Competition: Evidence from Acquisitions in the Private Health Care Sector




AuthorsMikko Nurminen, Tanja Saxell

PublisherValtion taloudellinen tutkimuskeskus

Publication year2020

Series titleVATT Working Papers

Number in series130

eISBN978-952-274-252-0

ISSN1798-0291

Web address https://www.doria.fi/handle/10024/177175

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/49842325


Abstract

We consider the effects of mergers and acquisitions for private physicians, who compete for patients on price. To estimate the effects, we use nationwide administrative data on private physicians and the organization of their practice over 10 years in Finland. We show that acquisitions can reduce competition among physicians, leading to higher prices. We estimate the strongest price increase to be in gynecology, in which switching costs and inertia in physician choice may decrease physician competition, at least locally (within a health care unit). The reduction in the number of physicians in a target unit is the key mechanism behind the estimated effect.


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