Trauma Activation Fees Among For-profit and Nonprofit Trauma Centers

Among level 1/2 trauma centers, for-profit status was associated with higher TAFs after accounting for clustering, socioeconomic, and market factors. Negotiated payor fees or cash prices remain unclear, yet higher TAFs among for-profit centers warrant further investigation. Until the drivers of TAF differences are clarified, higher fees at for-profit centers and the need for regulation warrant further investigation.