Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Hospital Bills Spike 37% For Patients With Private Insurance: Study
Patients, even those with employer-sponsored health plans, may face another condition after they are discharged from a hospital stay: acute sticker shock. Out-of-pocket hospitalization costs rose 37% from 2009 to 2013, with the average patient paying more than $1,000 per hospital visit, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan. The survey took place before many of the Obamacare provisions were in place, including the health insurance marketplaces. (Channick, 6/27)
Medical treatment is getting pricier every year, and a new study shows that patients are carrying a bigger and bigger share of the cost. It found that even people with health insurance pay, on average, more than $1,000 out of their pockets for a hospital stay. (Fox, 6/27)
The amount that people with private insurance still had to pay for hospital visits grew 37 percent from 2009 to 2013, a study finds. And it's probably still going up. The study, conducted by the University of Michigan and published today in JAMA Internal Medicine, adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests employers are using high-deductible plans to keep premium costs down. (Ramkumar, 6/27)