Hospital charges rose 8 percent to $943 billion in 2006 nationwide, up from $873 billion the prior year, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The steep increase occurred even though hospitals admissions increased only slightly, from 39.2 million to 39.5 million.
Between 2005 and 2006, hospital charges increased by 15 percent for the uninsured (to $44 billion). Charges increased 9 percent for Medicaid patients, 8 percent for Medicare patients, and 6 percent for patients with private insurance.
The information is based on data from The National Bill: The Most Expensive Conditions by Payer, 2006 (H-CUP Statistical Brief #59). Read the statistical brief.
