Why does the same medical procedure or diagnostic test come with dramatically different price tags depending on where a patient receives it?
Across Michigan, that’s not a theoretical question. It’s a daily reality ― and a major reason health care has become so expensive.
A routine outpatient service performed in a hospital-owned facility can cost double, triple, or even more than the exact same service delivered in an independent physician’s office or independent surgery center.
The hospital premium doesn’t buy better outcomes or cover the cost of more complex care. It stems from how Medicare ― and many private insurers ― pay for services.
Read the full article in The Detroit News