TransUnion Healthcare analyzed data from 200 hospitals across the country. At the end of the second quarter, the average costs patients had to pay also rose 38 percent year over year to $2,568.
Milton Silva-Craig, president of TransUnion Healthcare, said in a news release the consumer burden could worsen. In August, the government granted a one-year grace period to some insurers related to out-of-pocket maximums, meaning consumers may still see higher limits on their healthcare bills.
“As a result of this extension, patients expecting to pay no more than the Affordable Care Act’s prescribed cap for out-of-pocket expenses may find that they owe both the maximum amount for hospital services and an additional maximum amount for prescription drugs,” Mr. Silva-Craig said. “These added cost pressures will make it more difficult for patients to pay their bills, further burdening hospitals with the likelihood of more bad debt.”
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