Delaware one of least costly states for hospital expenses
The Delaware Healthcare Association celebrated the announcement of Delaware’s ranking as third in the nation for the lowest increase in hospital expenses per visit over a 10-year period.
The ranking by QuoteWizard Insurance News signals that Delaware hospitals’ commitment to providing value-based care is paying off.
“Delaware hospitals and healthcare systems have made the commitment to delivering high-value health care to all Delawareans, and it shows,” said DHA President and CEO Wayne Smith. “By making substantial investments in the health of our community beyond the hospital walls, delivering care in the right setting at the right time, and entering into new payment and reimbursement models that prioritize quality over quantity, Delaware hospitals are successfully working to mitigate the total cost of healthcare delivery through value-based care.”
To to determine which states have seen the largest and smallest increases in hospital expenses per visit, the QuoteWizard Insurance News ranking analyzed American Hospital Association data via the Kaiser Family Foundation on hospital expense averages per visit in each state from 2009 to 2018.
During those years, the total expense hospitals incurred to care for patients increased 36 percent across the country. Notably, Delaware hospitals have managed to keep that increase to a mere 5.5 percent, with an expense average per visit of $2,062 in 2018. This represents an increase of approximately $100 since 2009, earning Delaware the third-lowest increase in the nation in hospital expenses per visit over 10 years. The report also ranks Delaware at No. 20 in the nation for the lowest average hospital expenses per visit.
At the same time, Delaware hospitals have delivered high-quality healthcare, with an emphasis on patient safety. Delaware hospitals received top A and B grades in the Spring 2020 Hospital Safety Grade report by the Leapfrog Group. In 2019, Delaware was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as ranking No. 1 in Hospital Quality.
For more information, go to www.quotewizard.com/news/posts/states-with-the-highest-hospital-expenses.
