The FCCA's study reveals that despite the extension of merger control scope in 2023, anti-competitive mergers in the health care market continue to evade review, leading to increased prices of private health care services.

The market for private health care services in Finland has witnessed rapid consolidation below the turnover threshold, with large healthcare companies doubling their market share in physician and dental services from 2008 to 2020. The dominance of these large chains has also expanded into occupational health services and the outsourcing of health services.

Ex ante merger control is crucial to prevent harmful market concentration, as demonstrated by the FCCA study, which found that prices in acquired clinics increased by 10–20% post-acquisition, particularly in auxiliary services like imaging and laboratory services.

The FCCA advocates for the introduction of a call-in option for merger review in Finland, similar to other EU countries, to allow the authority to review mergers below the turnover thresholds under exceptional circumstances. Clear criteria for the application of the call-in power can help reduce uncertainty for businesses.