A report from the International Federation of Health Plans on common medical services and procedures in 12 countries shows some cost as much as four times more in the United States than in other developed nations.
The survey from IFHP's annual report shows that average U.S. prices for procedures were once again the highest of those in the 12 countries surveyed for nearly all of the 14 common services and procedures reviewed.
For example, total hospital and physician costs for delivering a baby are $2,147 in Germany, $2,667 in Canada and $8,435 in the United States, while a hospital stay costs $1,679 in Spain, $7,707 in Canada, and between $14,427 and $45,902 in the United States.
"As countries around the world look at the impact of their healthcare systems on their economies, the cost per unit of services, procedures and drugs is a key factor that needs to be understood," said IFHP Chief Executive Tom Sackville. "The total cost of care in each country is obviously driven very directly by the fees charged by the doctors, hospitals and drug companies in that country."
The difference between unit prices was greatest for surgery, according to the survey. One of the highest differences was for cataract surgery hospital and physician costs, which ran from $1,667 in Spain to $14,764 in the United States.
"We hope the release of this updated report on our price survey will be a key step forward in creating a more informed base of knowledge for all our member countries and allow them to better assess the impact of unit prices on the cost of healthcare," Sackville said.
The IFHP's survey incorporates 2010 provider fees and drug costs in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The data for the report was gathered from IFHP member organizations in each country.
Items examined include angiograms, CT and MRI scans, office visits, newborn deliveries, appendectomies, cataract surgeries, hip replacements, hospital stays, bypass surgeries and angioplasties.
Costs for three widely prescribed drugs – Lipitor, Nexium and Plavix – were also reviewed, with costs in the United States highest for all three medications.