Overall healthcare prices increased 0.2 percent in April and were 3.1 percent higher than a year ago, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the BLS' Producer Price Indices, which measure average changes in selling prices received by domestic producers for their output, physician office prices rose 0.4 percent from March to April, and were 2.4 percent higher than in April 2009.
This translates into actual or expected reimbursement for a sample of treatments or services.
Overall hospital prices increased 0.1 percent in April and were 3.7 percent higher than a year ago. Nursing care facility prices stayed flat in April, although they were 2.4 percent higher than in April 2009.
Prices for home healthcare services actually decreased 0.1 percent from March to April, but were 1.2 percent higher than a year ago.
The Producer Price Indices for healthcare industry segments measure changes in actual or expected reimbursement received for services across the full range of payer types. This includes the negotiated contract rate from the payer plus any portion expected to be paid by the patient.