case of hospital mergers across distinct geographic markets ("cross-market" mergers), we show that such combinations can … belonging to both merging parties, as well as (one or more) \common insurers" with which price and network status is negotiated …. We test our theoretical predictions using two samples of cross-market hospital mergers, focusing exclusively on hospitals …

operates within state boundaries: cross-market, within-state hospital mergers yield price increases of 7-9 percent for … or service, but are bundled by a common intermediary. Focusing on hospital mergers across distinct geographic markets, we … higher prices (or lower-quality care). Using data on hospital mergers from 1996-2012, we find support that this mechanism …

by 15.9% and hospital costs by 4.7%. Our estimation results show that the effects on charge prices do not last as long as … negotiated prices, while low-price hospitals increase charges; (2) hospital characteristics such as ownership, case mix, and … payer mix; and (3) hospital size and market competition. We also conduct counterfactuals to predict price changes of non …