By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Massachusetts Health Policy Commission Cost Trends Report
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Finance > Massachusetts Health Policy Commission Cost Trends Report
FinanceHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Massachusetts Health Policy Commission Cost Trends Report

David Harlow
David Harlow
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission released its preliminary cost trends report for 2013. In case anyone needed confirmation, Massachsuetts health care costs are above the national average.

The report says: “Spending in Massachusetts is the highest of any state in the U.S., crowding out other priorities for consumers, business, and government.”

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission released its preliminary cost trends report for 2013. In case anyone needed confirmation, Massachsuetts health care costs are above the national average.

The report says: “Spending in Massachusetts is the highest of any state in the U.S., crowding out other priorities for consumers, business, and government.”

Massachusetts Health Policy Commission 2013 Preliminary Cost Trends Report

The Massachusetts Medical Society summarized the report on its blog. Here are a few excerpts:

  • Massachusetts is No. 1 in the country for personal health care expenditures:
    • Massachusetts: $9,278 per person
    • U.S.: $6,815
    • If you adjust the data for our older population, broad access to care, and higher overhead costs (wages, rent, supplies, etc.) the difference is still 20%.
  • For private health insurance patients:
    • Hospital spending is 42% higher than the U.S. average
    • Long term care spending is 31% higher
    • Professional services spending is 24% higher (physician, clinical, dental and other services)
  • Why do we spend more? Higher utilization and higher unit prices
  • Hospital utilization
    • Inpatient admissions: 10% higher
    • Average length of stay: 7% lower
  • Outpatient  utilization
    • Patient visits, excluding emergencies: 72% higher
    • Outpatient surgeries: 27% higher
  • Why are prices higher? Higher fee schedules, and more care is delivered in higher-priced settings
    • Fees paid by commercial payers, Medicare and Medicaid are higher than the national average
    • Portion of Mass. discharges from major teaching hospitals: 41% 
    • Portion of U.S. discharges from major teaching hospitals: 16%

Check out the rest of the HPC report highlights. A more detailed report will be forthcoming in the new year.

Most of the data used in compiling the report is from 2009. More recent data from around the country has shown a slowing of health care cost increases, independent of the economic slowdown. It remains to be seen whether the older Massachusetts numbers are still relevant today.

David Harlow
The Harlow Group LLC
Health Care Law and Consulting

TAGGED:Massachusetts
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

public health
Global HealthcarePublic Health

5 Things the Public Health Department Does During a Health Crisis

April 17, 2020

Not Poor Enough for Medicaid? Meet the ‘New’ Medicaid Doughnut-Hole

July 13, 2012
Health careSpecialtiesWellness

Stages and Warning Signs of Addiction Relapse

February 16, 2019

Many of the ACA Quality-Enhancing Ideas Have Previously Failed

September 15, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?