The hospital index represented some of the steepest growth among all healthcare services for the commercially insured in 2011. Comparatively, physician and drug costs each increased by 2.3 percent year-over-year.
“Insurance costs are still on the rise,” said Gary Pickens, chief research officer at the Thomson Reuters Center for Healthcare Analytics, in the release. “Hikes in all of the key areas would seem to imply the country has yet to reach a lull in spending.”
Overall, the annual cost of healthcare for the commercially insured climbed 3.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.
More Articles on Hospital Costs:
5 Keys to a Greener Supply Chain
12 Revenue Pitfalls for Academic Medical Centers
GAO: Budget Control Act Did Not Solve Long-Term Healthcare Costs
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
