Indy hospitals battle for patients

Indianapolis' four large health systems are increasingly competing for the same patients as they try to expand further into the suburbs and into each other's traditional geographic markets, according to a new report from the Washington-based Center for Studying Health System Change.

Having survived relatively well through the economic downturn, the Indianapolis region exhibits lower-than-average uninsured and unemployment rates and above-average population growth, and health systems have pursued a battle of "bricks and mortar" for these patients, particularly in suburban markets, according to the study.

The authors note that Indianapolis has embraced consumer-directed health plans more than the rest of the country has and that its safety net remains relatively stable.

The results are based on in-person interviews conducted in the region as part of the HSC's Community Tracking Study site visits.