U.S. Hospital Stay Costs Outpace Other Countries by More Than Three Fold

The United States has some of the highest prices for medical products and services in the world, according to a report (pdf) by the International Federation of Health Plans.

Advertisement

The 2011 Comparative Price Report found the average cost per hospital stay in the United States was $15,734 followed by $5,004 in Germany and $4,948 in Chile. Total hospital and physician costs for coronary artery bypass averaged $67,583 in the United States compared with $40,954 in Canada — the next highest cost.

The trend of high U.S. healthcare costs compared with other countries stayed true for the majority of medical products and services. Exceptions included physician fees for cataracts, which were $1,423 in Chile compared with an average of $946 in the United States, cataract surgery, which cost $5,310 in Switzerland compared with $3,748 in the United States, and appendectomy, which cost $1,463 in Chile compared with $1,007 in the United States.

More Articles on Healthcare Costs:

Rand Study: Without Individual Mandate, Individual Premiums Would Increase Only 2.4%
Study: Stroke Hospitalization Costs Driven by Neuroimaging

Report Shows Hospitalization Costs 3-Fold Higher for Patients With HAI

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in Financial Management

Advertisement

Comments are closed.