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
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 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
    How Powerful Patients Save the System Money
    November 11, 2015
    How Financial Barriers are Slowing Down Telehealth Adoption
    September 26, 2017
    No Resource Constraints in Dialysis: a Blessing and a Curse
    May 4, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 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

holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025

You Might also Like

Plan B’s Balancing Act

May 2, 2013
Medical Device Marketing, Medical Technology Marketing, Online Marketing
BusinessFinanceMedical DevicesTechnology

Marketing Medical Devices to Consumers, Not Patients

February 21, 2014
immunotherapy
Health careSpecialties

Immunotherapy: The Next Revolution In Cancer Treatment

September 16, 2020

Midwest Health Startups: Making More Deals but Drawing Less Money

July 26, 2013
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?