Health services mergers and acquisitions total deal value rose 152 percent to $12.3 billion during the first quarter of 2014 over last year, according to new analysis from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Brett Hickman, partner and PwC's U.S. health care deals leader, said the booming M&A activity is "an indication of renewed confidence in the industry as the dust settles from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act."

"Several indicators that we track point to robust M&A activity for the rest of the year. The impetus for greater alignment and size remains unchanged in the hospital sector – and for managed care deals, an increase is likely as these companies work to meet the required ACA milestones. Combined with positive signs we're seeing in the other health services sectors, we're optimistic that there will be heightened deal activity in 2014."