Report: Hospitals Underpaid by $32.4 Billion in 2008
Underpayments by Medicare and Medicaid to U.S. hospitals relative to the cost of care increased by more than 800%, from $3.8 billion in 2000 to $32.4 billion in 2008, according to a recent American Hospital Association report. On average, hospitals received 91 cents from Medicare for every dollar spent on care in 2008, while Medicaid paid 89 cents.
- "AHA: Burden of Uncompensated Care Continues To Climb" (Clark, HealthLeaders Media, 12/1).