In a 12-month moving average, the Standard & Poor's Healthcare Economic Hospital Index, Hospital Medicare Index and Hospital Commercial Index all increased through February 2012, indicating that the deceleration of healthcare costs in January appeared to be an anomaly, according to the S&P Healthcare Economic Indices (pdf).
The overall hospital rate increased from 5.03 percent in January to 5.52 percent in February. The Hospital Medicare Index was 1.94 percent, up from the 1.56 recorded in January, and the Hospital Commercial Index increased from 7.84 percent to 8.41 percent.
Overall, the S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index of all healthcare services covered by commercial payors and Medicare increased 5.75 percent in the 12 months ended February 2012, up from the 5.23 percent annual growth rate posted in January.
The S&P Healthcare Economic Professional Services Index was 5.71 percent, while the professional services indices for Medicare and commercial payors were 3.55 percent and 6.78 percent, respectively. All of those figures were also up from January.
The overall hospital rate increased from 5.03 percent in January to 5.52 percent in February. The Hospital Medicare Index was 1.94 percent, up from the 1.56 recorded in January, and the Hospital Commercial Index increased from 7.84 percent to 8.41 percent.
Overall, the S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index of all healthcare services covered by commercial payors and Medicare increased 5.75 percent in the 12 months ended February 2012, up from the 5.23 percent annual growth rate posted in January.
The S&P Healthcare Economic Professional Services Index was 5.71 percent, while the professional services indices for Medicare and commercial payors were 3.55 percent and 6.78 percent, respectively. All of those figures were also up from January.
More Articles on Healthcare Economic Indices:
S&P: Hospital Index Increases 5%
U.S. Healthcare Costs Up 5% in December 2011
Moody's: 4 Reasons 2012 Will Be Financially Challenging for Non-Profit Hospitals