Medicare underpaid hospitals by $53.9 billion in 2017, and Medicaid underpaid hospitals by $22.9 billion, according to the latest data from the American Hospital Association's Annual Survey of Hospitals.
Underpayment occurs when the reimbursement hospitals receive is less than the amount paid for personnel, technology, and other goods and services required to provide care.
In 2017, hospitals received payment of 87 cents for every dollar they spent caring for Medicare and Medicaid patients, according to the AHA.
Access the AHA underpayment by Medicare and Medicaid fact sheet here.
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