Merger and acquisition activity in the healthcare sector continued to rise in 2015, with hospital deals up 3 percent to 102 transactions, compared with 99 transactions in 2014, according to Irving Levin Associate's 2016 Health Care Services Acquisition Report, the 22nd addition.
An average of 2.6 hospitals were involved in each transaction, compared with an average of 1.8 in 2014 and 3.3 in 2013, according to the report.
"Several deals resulted from the mega mergers of 2013," said Lisa E. Phillips, editor of the 2016 report. "We're seeing more sales resulting from bankruptcies, especially in states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage."
Deal volume for the healthcare industry overall went up by 22 percent to 936 transactions in 2015, compared with 765 in 2014. The dollar value of those deals rose by 183 percent to $175 billion, compared with $62 billion in 2014.