Impact of private equity ownership on primary care for Medicare patients
Official title: Private Equity Acquisitions in Primary Care: Effects on the Medicare Program
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10907588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how buying primary care practices by private equity firms affects the care and health of Medicare patients, helping us understand if these changes lead to better or worse treatment for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS029467-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10907588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Medicare beneficiaries receiving primary care services, particularly those with chronic diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not receive Medicare or those not engaged in primary care services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how private equity acquisitions of primary care practices affect the quality of care and health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries. By analyzing data from Medicare claims and comparing patients in practices owned by private equity to those in non-owned practices, the study aims to uncover potential changes in service utilization and patient care quality. The research will focus on understanding whether these acquisitions lead to increased use of unnecessary medical services, which could impact patient health. The findings could provide valuable insights into the implications of private equity in healthcare.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could inform policies to improve care quality and cost-effectiveness for millions of Medicare beneficiaries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in other healthcare sectors has shown that private equity acquisitions can lead to higher costs and potential declines in care quality, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in observed trends.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Jane Mingjia — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Jane Mingjia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.