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
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    mosquito misting spray to fight malaria
    Avoid Malaria with Mosquito Misting Systems
    June 12, 2023
    Medical Surveys
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    Glutathione
    What Are The Benefits of Glutathione?
    January 22, 2024
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tips for Older Travelers
    April 14, 2012
    Anti-RUC Suit Challenges Process for Setting Doc Pay Scales
    October 25, 2011
    Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
    May 1, 2012
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • 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

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

8 Things Medical School Failed to Teach Me About Being a Physician Executive

September 29, 2012
Medical EthicsNews

In the Firing of Joe Paterno or in Medical Malpractice – Hindsite is 20/20

November 14, 2011

GOP Presidential Candidate’s Life Insurance Scheme Provides Fodder for Opponents

August 27, 2011

Digital Tools to Maximize Your Fundraising Efforts

May 5, 2015
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?