Thursday, April 21, 2011

Docs, hospitals see Medicare revenue slow

Hospital and physician Medicare revenue grew at the slowest annual rate in six years during the 12 months that ended in February, newly published indexes show.


Standard & Poor's Healthcare Economic Medicare Index increased 3.22% between February and the same month the prior year, the most sluggish growth rate since the ratings agency began to collect data. An index of commercial plan revenue grew more quickly during the year at 7.97%. The composite index for Medicare and private payers increased 6.19% in the same period.

The Standard & Poor's healthcare economic indices track the per capita revenue for hospitals and physicians or other health professionals, from commercial insurers and Medicare, excluding Medicare Advantage.

For hospitals, the annual growth rate for Medicare revenue increased 1.54% during the year that ended in February compared with 8.62% for commercial insurers.

For physicians and other health professionals, Medicare and commercial insurer revenue grew at an annual rate of 5.41% and 7.21%, respectively, during the 12 months.

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