New Poll Numbers Indicate Growing Concerns Among Americans
About the Impact of Healthcare Consolidation

CHICAGO, June 16, 2021 – Today, LUGPA, a trade association representing independent urology group practices in the U.S., released the results of a new national survey of American consumers. Conducted by international polling firm, YouGov, the survey found that patients are concerned about the growing trend of consolidation among healthcare practices and what impacts it will have on costs and access to healthcare services.

Among the 1,354 adults surveyed, nearly 74 percent said the increase in hospital acquisitions would lead to fewer options for patients and result in increased costs for care at existing hospitals. Additionally, more than 58 percent said decreased competition would lead to less incentives by hospitals to maintain or increase their quality of care, and 50 percent said they believed continued consolidation will affect their access to and quality of care.

“These numbers confirm that patients understand and have felt the impact of consolidation. They feel it in their pocketbooks or when they try to find a provider for themselves and their families,” said Jonathan Henderson, MD, president of LUGPA. “While there are many factors driving the costs of care higher and higher, Americans know that allowing hospitals to continue to merge and consolidate is not currently and will never be a formula for cost efficient or high-quality care.”

LUGPA’s research is increasingly important as the Biden Administration determines how to allocate the remaining money in the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund, which was a $178 billion package designed to help hospitals weather the uncertainty associated with the coronavirus pandemic. An estimated $25 billion still remains in the fund. Media reports indicate consolidation by large hospital systems continued during COVID-19, and the Provider Relief Fund helped some hospital systems expand.

“Almost 65 percent of the survey’s respondents said they agree reimbursement rates should be the same for services performed in a hospital or physician’s office. Aside from being fundamentally wrong, the differential in reimbursements and out-of-pocket costs for the same services fuels greater uncertainty and encourages the purchase of physician practices at a time when greater stability is needed as we emerge from the pandemic,” noted Dr. Henderson.

The poll also found that patients preferred greater transparency of pricing information with over 50 percent saying they would prefer to shop around for the best prices for recommended tests or services if more pricing information was readily available. When considering the continued availability of services like telehealth, nearly 72.4 percent of those who had utilized telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic said they would like to see that option remain for scheduling appointments post-pandemic.

“It’s no secret the costs of healthcare remain a top issue for Americans. Hardworking people in my community and countless others across the nation have consistently demonstrated a level savviness born out of the necessity to find more affordable and accessible healthcare. They want more choices, better access, transparent pricing information, and more affordable options. The survey clearly demonstrates this and LUGPA will continue to support policies and regulations that encourage competition and incentivize quality care – not stifle it – and work to ensure independent physicians’ practices always remain an option for patients across America,” concluded Dr. Henderson.

To view LUGPA’s corresponding infographic, click here.

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About LUGPA

LUGPA is a trade association that represents independent urology group practices in the U.S., with more than 2,170 physicians who make up more than 25 percent of the nation's practicing urologists, and provide more than 30 percent of the total urologic care in the U.S. The Association is committed to providing the best resources and information for its member practices through advocacy, research, data collection and benchmarking efforts. LUGPA advocates for independent urology practices by promoting quality clinical outcomes, fostering new opportunities and improving advocacy in the legislative and regulatory arenas. For more information, visit lugpa.org.

About the YouGov Survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,354 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 11th - 12th May 2021. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).