There was wide variation in per capita Medicare spending among states in 2014, according to a study by CMS' Office of the Actuary published by Health Affairs.
The study, which is based on State Health Expenditure Accounts produced by CMS' Office of the Actuary, revealed Medicare spending per capita was lowest in Montana in 2014 at $8,238 —25 percent lower than the national average of $10,986. Medicare spending per capita in New Jersey was the highest of any state at $12,614, which was 15 percent higher than the national average.
The study identified several factors associated with variation in per capita Medicare spending by state, including the average age of the population, relative cost of living and provider practice patterns.
Here's a breakdown of per capita Medicare spending by state, listed from highest to lowest, according to the study.
1. New Jersey — $12,614
2. Florida — $12,229
3. New York — $12,179
4. Maryland — $12,000
5. Connecticut — $11,964
6. Massachusetts — $11,899
7. Texas — $11,895
8. California — $11,833
9. Louisiana — $11,811
10. Delaware — $11,460
11. Michigan — $11,318
12. Pennsylvania — $11,243
13. Illinois — $11,116
14. Ohio — $11,038
15. Mississippi – $11,021
16. Rhode Island — $10,901
17. Nevada — $10,796
18. Indiana — $10,714
19. Missouri — $10,457
20. Georgia — $10,429
21. Oklahoma — $10,429
22. Tennessee — $10,371
23. Kentucky — $10,368
24. South Carolina — $10,298
25. West Virginia — $10,268
26. Alabama— $10,267
27. North Carolina — $10,260
28. Kansas — $10,126
29. Arizona — $10,096
30. Nebraska — $9,956
31. Minnesota — $9,917
32. Virginia — $9,677
33. Wisconsin — $9,608
34. Arkansas — $9,479
35. North Dakota — $9,461
36. New Hampshire — $9,39
37. Maine — $9,325
38. Iowa — $9,317
39. South Dakota — $9,315
40. Alaska — $9,288
41. Colorado — $9,287
42. Vermont — $9,231
43. Utah — $9,084
44. Wyoming — $9,050
45. Washington — $8,997
46. Oregon — $8,942
47. Idaho — $8,737
48. New Mexico — $8,663
49. Hawaii — $8,592
50. Montana — $8,238
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