A massive new study analyzing 1.3 million colonoscopies finds that when private equity (PE) acquires GI practices, colonoscopy prices spike up to 7%, and physician revenue rises sharply, yet quality metrics remain flat.
Published in JAMA Health Forum, the study reveals that practices owned by PE firms performed more colonoscopies, billed more per procedure, and saw more patients, but without statistically significant improvements in polyp detection or adverse event rates. While some argue that PE expands access and reduces inefficiencies, others warn it’s a play for pricing power without patient benefit.
And regulators? Mostly powerless—for now. These deals often fly under federal radar.
As GI corporatization accelerates, this study raises a crucial question: Are rising costs and consolidation simply trading physician burnout for profit margins, without improving patient outcomes?