title: The big wave. Wall St. loves managed-care mergers, but selling patients and providers on the deal isn't always a smooth ride.
abstract: Managed-care companies have caught a big merger wave, winning applause from Wall Street and some analysts who say the deals offer great financial potential. But others, including consumer groups and some providers, say the health plans could be surfing toward a spill. Critics question the tactics the companies are using and contend the firms are serving the short-term demands of the financial community but aren't helping their long-term business.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kertesz
mesh_terms: D004465:Economic Competition; D005376:Financial Management / Q000639:trends; D006269:Health Facilities, Proprietary / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006273:Health Facility Merger / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D007449:Investments; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D014481:United States