Costs associated with inpatient stays constitute the largest single component of health care spending. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data show hospital costs by payer for the five most expensive inpatient conditions. Total hospital costs in 2011 by condition and cost per payer (in billions):
- Septicemia: $20.3 billion (Medicare: 62% ($12.7bn); Medicaid: 13% (2.7bn); Private Insurance: 18% (3.7bn); Uninsured: 4% (<$1.0bn))
- Osteoarthritis: $14.8 billion (Medicare: 54% ($8.0bn); Medicaid: 3% (<$1.0bn); Private Insurance: 39% ($5.7bn); Uninsured: <1% (<$1.0bn))
- Complication of device, implant or graft: $12.9 billion (Medicare: 58% ($7.5bn; Medicaid: 11% ($1.4bn); Private Insurance: 25% ($3.2bn); Uninsured: 2% (<$1.0bn))
- Liveborn (newborn): $12.4 billion (Medicare: <1% ($<1.0bn); Medicaid: 48% ($5.9bn); Private Insurance: 47% ($5.8bn); Uninsured: 2% (<$1.0bn))
- Acute myocardial infraction: $11.5 billion (Medicare: 55% ($6.3bn); Medicaid: 7% (<$1.0bn); Private Insurance: 28% ($3.2bn); Uninsured: 7% (<$1.0bn))
Sources: HCUP Statistical Brief #160 (http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/statbriefs.jsp) and HCUPnet (http://hcupnet.ahrq.gov/).