Category: Cost Alert

Highlights from the Coverage of CMS’ Release of Hospital Price Data

Posted on May 9, 2013 by AHIP Coverage

Yesterday’s release of data on hospital prices by CMS has generated a lot of buzz in the media. Continue reading →

Posted in: AHIP, AHIP in the News, Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

CMS Releases Data on Hospital Prices

Posted on May 8, 2013 by AHIP Coverage

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services today released for the first time data on hospital prices, which show “wide variations not only regionally but among hospitals in the same area or city.” Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

Cost Alert: Specialists Call for Lower Prices for Cancer Drugs

Posted on April 25, 2013 by AHIP Coverage

The New York Times reports today on a group of 100 cancer specialists from around the world who are calling for pharmaceutical companies to lower the price of drugs used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia. Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert

USA Today: Prescription Drug Costs Rising at Twice the Rate of Inflation

Posted on February 14, 2013 by AHIP Coverage

USA Today reports on the rise in prescription drug prices, noting “In 2012, prescription drug prices rose 3.6%, twice the 1.7% inflation rate, Bureau of Economic Analysis data show.” Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

Health Care Cost Institute Chart: 2011 Prescription Spending Slowdown

Posted on January 9, 2013 by AHIP Coverage

A new chart from the Health Care Cost Institute illustrates the slowdown in prescription drug spending in 2011 compared to 2010. Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert

ICYMI: Prescription Drug Prices Continue to Soar

Posted on November 29, 2012 by AHIP Coverage

Brand-name prescription drug prices continue to escalate, at more than six times the overall price inflation of consumer goods, according to a new report released yesterday by Express Scripts. Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

Primary Care Physician Says Drug Discount Coupons Good Deal For Drug Companies, But Not So Good For Patients

Posted on October 24, 2012 by AHIP Coverage

A column in USA Today examines an issue we’ve written about before – that prescription drug coupons can lead to higher costs. Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

Infographic: The Cost of a Hospital Stay

Posted on October 22, 2012 by AHIP Coverage

A new infographic from Face the Facts USA looks at the cost of a hospital stay in the U.S. Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs, Infographic

New Study Finds Health Care Spending Rose Faster Than Inflation

Posted on May 21, 2012 by AHIP Coverage

Rising medical prices are the subject of a new study by the Health Care Cost Institute, featured today in an article in Kaiser Health News. Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

Cost Spotlight: A 443% Markup on Prescription Drugs

Posted on April 30, 2012 by AHIP Coverage

Kaiser Health News/USA Today shines a spotlight on increasing hospital costs specifically the price markup of over-the-counter and prescription drugs hospitals administer to patients.  The story examines what happens to patients when hospitals classify the care patients receive as “observational.”  This classification can lead to higher out of pocket costs for patients.  And some of these costs are eye popping. Continue reading →

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs