Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research

Interview by Rob Lott

Researchers said the results suggest UnitedHealth may be sidestepping government rules meant to keep a lid on exorbitant payer profits.

Researchers found UnitedHealthcare paid 17% more to Optum than to other providers.

This article covers a study in JAMA Health Forum finds that private equity-acquired gastroenterology practices significantly raised colonoscopy prices without any improvement in quality of care. The rise in costs was especially steep in highly consolidated markets, where prices surged by 6.7%. With no measurable gains in patient outcomes, the findings raise broader concerns about the impact of PE’s profit-driven model on healthcare affordability, transparency, and value.

This article reports on a study by Daniel R. Arnold, and colleagues who find that private equity-acquired gastroenterology practices significantly increase colonoscopy prices—by 4.5% more than independent practices—without improving care quality. Despite claims that consolidation boosts efficiency, the analysis showed no statistical difference in quality measures, raising concerns about affordability and access.