There's nothing new in healthcare mergers and acquisitions. It's a major way that corporations in the industry have grown in size and profits.

But Collier's National Director, Healthcare for the USA Shawn Janus recently wrote that there are three factors driving M&A to a higher degree. They are market dynamics and challenges; the "consumerization" of healthcare; and digital solutions and emerging technologies.

According to Janus, while M&A activity has declined in other industries, healthcare M&A reached $341 billion, which was a 22% increase. But executives worry about economic conditions making it difficult raised capital. Also, a study showed that 68% of people in the industry don't think that initial public offerings will drive transactions. For smaller companies, investors, particularly venture capital, want an eventual exit strategy. IPOs are preferred for the amount of cash they can generate for returns. But if conditions don't favor going public, then acquisitions are a fallback option.