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VHI PUBLISHES 2020 OUTPATIENT COMPARE REPORT
STATEWIDE HOSPITAL MEDIAN CHARGES INCREASE, AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER MEDIAN CHARGES DECREASE
VHI has published its 2020 Outpatient Compare Report. The free, online report helps Virginians learn more about commonly performed outpatient procedures, how often they are performed at specific facilities and statewide median charge amount based on 2018 procedures. These average amounts can be a valuable tool for patients who may be uninsured and will need to negotiate the cost of their service with the healthcare facility.
VHI gathers outpatient procedure information from ambulatory surgical centers, physicians' offices and hospital outpatient departments. The report includes ten commonly performed diagnostic and surgical procedure groups. These procedures were chosen by a task force of industry experts based on their actual opt perceived risk, frequency and cost:
"Our report makes it easy for Virginian's too learn why a procedure may be necessary, its risk and benefits and tools to find and compare healthcare providers in their community," notes Michael T. Lundberg, VHI's Chief Executive Officer.
There were over 264,000 outpatient surgeries performed for these procedures in 2018, less than a one percent decrease from the previous year. Compared to 2017, statewide hospital median charges increased by 7 percent, ambulatory surgical center median charges decreased by 15 percent and physicians offices remained the same. Knee surgeries (arthroscopies) decreased by 12 percent from 2017 to 2018 to roughly 14,000 but were still the 2nd most common procedure performed in 2018. Colonoscopies remained the most commonly performed outpatient procedure. Outpatient liposuctions increased by 6 percent from 2017 to 2018, however there was a 35 percent decrease in the procedure at an ambulatory surgical center and a 20 percent increase in physician offices.