"The integration of insurer and provider within these provider-owned health plans holds the promise to deliver more appropriate care to patients and lower insurance costs by eliminating unnecessary tests, surgeries, and other healthcare that inflate overall costs.... Although provider-owned plans cover less than 10% of the entire privately insured market, their membership increased 4% between 2012 and 2013, a higher rate of growth than other plan types.... Contrary to expectations, the cheapest provider-owned health plans were more expensive on average than the cheapest plans not owned by providers."  MORE >>