Last month, Novant Health closed a deal to acquire 18 OrthoCarolina imaging centers across North and South Carolina. This move expands Novant’s already significant market share in the region, with the corporate hospital system now operating over 900 facilities, including 19 hospitals and 750 physician clinics.

Last year, in the latest move by the company to buy up providers, Novant signed a deal with Dallas based Tenet Healthcare, reducing competition in that market.

It’s clear that corporate hospital systems’ mission is to monopolize the market and therefore drive up costs for patients.
As healthcare providers consolidate, patients often face higher costs and reduced access to care. According to Sage Transparency data, Novant hospitals have an average 3 star rating and consistently charge privately-insured patients 200% more than Medicare.

With Novant’s acquisition of these imaging centers, patients may be forced to pay higher prices for services, and smaller, independent providers may be squeezed out of the market.

As Novant continues to grow, it’s essential that patients, employers, and lawmakers demand transparency and accountability. At Better Solutions, we’re committed to shining a light on corporate hospital system take overs and the impact on patients. We must ensure that healthcare providers prioritize patient care and quality over profits and that consolidation doesn’t lead to reduced access and higher costs.