Healthcare Strategic Growth Blog

Practical Guidance for Marketers and Planners Trying to Navigate Change

By Lee Ann Lambdin

Healthcare mergers and acquisitions across the US continue at a rapid pace. According to Becker's Hospital Review, about $2.35 trillion in deals occurred globally [in 2018], up 57 percent compared to the same period last year. “Whether it’s hospitals buying up independent medical practices, hospital systems swallowing one another, or insurance companies merging with pharmacy chains, the prevailing attitude now is that bigger is better,” Medical Economics.

Gist Healthcare recently shared this graphic, which highlights how consolidated the hospital sector has become. Gist’s graphic displays how health systems account for more than 90 percent of all discharges in the US, with the largest 11 systems accounting for a quarter of discharges, and the largest 67 accounting for half. 

How can healthcare strategic planners and marketers stay focused, yet flexible, during these times of consolidation and change? This post provides practical tips for how to deal with the inevitable challenges that will come during an integration. Key elements include: 

• Uniting separate strategies
• Managing and merging multiple brands
• Using your influence to affect change

How to Grow and Stay Relevant in the Evolving Healthcare Space

By Morgan Atkins and Daniel Dreaden

It has been predicted that 2019 will be marked by many changes in the healthcare industry. The progression towards more cost effective and convenient healthcare will continue to motivate mergers and acquisitions that will disrupt the status quo and alter the way consumers interface with this industry.

"In overwhelming numbers, consumers are willing to abandon old [healthcare] models for more efficient, convenient care… We are seeing this go far beyond flu shots." Ceci Connolly, managing director of PwC's Health Research Institute, said during a webinar on the study.

The shifting dynamics of healthcare will continue to drive providers of all sizes to remain flexible and open to new possibilities. Here are four ways hospitals can embrace these changes, stay competitive, and see growth in 2019.

With the reality of healthcare reform setting in, the new tapestry of the healthcare delivery system remains foggy. One thing however, is certain; independent community hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to compete. With news publications filled with articles of new mergers and acquisitions it can’t help but leave many independent hospitals wondering, not if, but when they will need to join forces with one of the industry giants.

Here, five major forces driving hospital consolidation are highlighted.