U.S. healthcare prices increased in February 2013, rising 0.4 percent over January 2013 prices, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The BLS' Producer Price Indices measure average changes in selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. The February PPI report indicated that prices across the range of healthcare industries were 1.8 percent higher than a year ago.
[See also: Healthcare prices rose slightly in January.]
The PPI translates into actual or expected reimbursement for a sample of treatments or services.
In the January through February period, prices received by hospitals and dentist offices increased 0.6 percent. The PPI for physician offices rose 0.2 percent, while the PPI for home healthcare services increased 0.3 percent.
The PPI for blood and organ banks rose 0.1 percent across the month.
The PPIs of some other key healthcare sectors were down last month. Prices received by the medical and diagnostic laboratory sector fell 0.7 percent from January through February, while the PPI for nursing care facilities dropped 0.2 percent. Prices received by residential mental retardation facilities slid by 0.1 percent.
[See also: Drug costs to rise up to 4 percent in 2013.]
Comparing February 2013 to February 2012, overall healthcare PPIs rose 1.8 percent.
For instance, overall hospital prices were 2.6 percent higher in February than a year ago, while physician office prices were 1.0 percent higher. Nursing care facility prices increased 0.8 percent from February 2012 to February 2013 and prices for home healthcare services rose 0.5 percent across the 12-month period.
The PPI for medical and diagnostic laboratories dropped 1.4 percent from February 2012 to February 2013, but residential mental retardation facilities saw prices rise a significant 3.8 percent through the year. Blood and organ banks experienced a PPI increase of 0.4 percent in the same period.
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.