Overall healthcare prices held steady from April through May, although they were 2.9 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, prices across the range of healthcare industries remained flat from April to May.
The PPI translates into actual or expected reimbursement for a sample of treatments or services.
While healthcare prices were steady from April to May 2010, prices increased across the industry from May 2009 to May 2010.
For instance, overall hospital prices were 3.5 percent higher in May than a year ago, while physician office prices were 2.9 percent higher. Nursing care facility prices increased 2.4 percent from May 2009 to May 2010, and prices for home healthcare services were 1.2 percent higher than a year ago.
The only healthcare industry showing price decreases from May 2009 to May 2010 was medical and diagnostic laboratories. Prices in this industry fell 0.4 percent.
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.