Hospital patients are sicker and more medically complex than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, driving up hospital costs for labor, drugs and supplies, according to a new AHA report

“Combined with rapidly rising economy-wide inflation and reimbursement shortfalls, these mounting costs are threatening the financial stability of hospitals around the country,” the report notes.

Hospital patient acuity as measured by average length of stay (ALOS) rose almost 10% between 2019 and 2021, including a 6% increase for non-COVID-19 Medicare patients as the pandemic contributed to delayed and avoided care, the report notes. For example, ALOS rose 89% for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 65% for patients with neuroblastoma and adrenal cancer. In 2022, patient acuity as reflected in the case mix index rose 11.1% for mastectomy patients, 15% for appendectomy patients and 7% for hysterectomy patients.

These increases have occurred at a time of significant financial challenges for hospitals and health systems, which have still not received support to address the delta and omicron surges that have comprised the majority of all COVID-19 admissions. As a result, AHA is asking Congress to halt its Medicare payment cuts to hospitals and other providers; extend or make permanent certain waivers that improve efficiency and access to care; extend expiring health insurance subsidies for millions of patients; and hold commercial insurers accountable for improper and burdensome business practices.

Related News Articles

Headline
Nearly 5.5 million people selected a 2023 health plan through the federally facilitated and state-based marketplaces Nov. 1 through Dec. 3, the Centers…
Headline
The House today voted 220-207 to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376), sending it to President Biden for his signature. Passed by the Senate Sunday,…
Headline
A total of 939,575 people selected a 2021 health plan through the federally facilitated marketplace between Feb. 15 and April 30 during the…
Headline
The departments of Health and Human Services and the Treasury Friday approved a Section 1332 waiver for Montana to implement a five-year reinsurance program…
Headline
The House of Representatives last night voted 234-183 to pass legislation (H.R. 987) that combines several AHA-supported bills to help lower prescription…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today finalized the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020, setting the standards for health…