Healthcare Systems


Horizontal Systems: Horizontally integrated and including two or more acute care, specialty or psychiatric providers. May be vertically integrated as well.

Vertical Systems: Contains only one acute or specialty care provider but offers a range of other services through entities which are under common control.

Independent Institutions: Acute care, psychiatric or specialty hospital which have not declared they fit one of the systems categories, although they may have one or more affiliation relationships.


  • Horizontal Systems
  • Vertical Systems
  • Independent Institutions