Overall U.S. healthcare prices remained relatively flat from June to July, rising only 0.3 percent, 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 were essentially stable from June to July, although prices were 2.9 percent higher than a year ago.
The PPI translates into actual or expected reimbursement for a sample of treatments or services.
While healthcare prices were steady from June to July of this year, prices increased across the industry from July 2009 to July 2010.
For instance, overall hospital prices were 3.5 percent higher in July than a year ago, while physician office prices were 2.2 percent higher. Nursing care facility prices increased 1.8 percent from July 2009 to July 2010, and prices for home healthcare services were 1.1 percent higher than a year ago.
The only healthcare industry showing price decreases from July 2009 to July 2010 was medical and diagnostic laboratories. Prices in this industry fell 0.1 percent.
In the June to July 2010 window, these same industry sectors saw stagnant pricing numbers. Hospital prices rose 0.2 across the month, while physician office prices did slightly better, rising 0.4 percent. Nursing care facility prices rose a meager 0.1 percent, while the home healthcare services price index remained the same at 129.3.
The PPIs 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.