Overall U.S. healthcare prices increased nearly a full percentage point from July to August 2012, rising 0.9 percent, according to 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 all sectors of the healthcare industry were 2.5 percent higher than a year ago.
The PPI translates into actual or expected reimbursement for a sample of treatments or services.
In the July to August period, pricing fell in only one sector, residential mental retardation facilities, which experienced a decrease of -0.2 percent.
Hospital prices rose 1.6 percent across the month, the largest increase in any healthcare sector.
Physicians offices and medical and diagnostic laboratories both saw a 0.1 percent increase, while dentist offices and home healthcare services jumped 0.2 percent.
Prices for nursing care facilities remained steady.
Comparing August 2011 to August 2012, overall hospital prices were 3.6 percent higher in August than a year ago, while physician office prices rose 1.1 percent and dentist office prices were 1.7 percent higher. Nursing care facility prices increased 1.2 percent from August 2011 to August 2012, and prices for home healthcare services were 0.8 percent higher than a year ago.
The PPI for medical and diagnostic laboratories fell 0.5 percent from August 2011 to August 2012, while residential mental retardation facilities saw prices rise 1.5 percent through the year. Blood and organ banks experienced an increase of 1.0 percent.
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.