Washington Health Alliance Releases Groundbreaking Pricing Findings

SEATTLE, March 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington consumers face significant variations in inpatient treatment prices across the state and by facility, according to a new report released online today by the Washington Health Alliance (Alliance). "This is the first time we have attached a price tag to our analysis and it has major implications to inform the public, purchasers, and providers about what is going on with inpatient pricing," said Alliance Executive Director Nancy Giunto.

The Alliance reviewed 171 inpatient treatments for calendar year 2016 that is now searchable online on wacommunitycheckup.org. "The good news is that anyone can select a treatment on the website and not only see the median price in the state," continued Giunto, "but more importantly, they can see the wide range of prices at individual hospitals, too."

The Alliance also released an analysis looking at which factors have the greatest effect on inpatient statewide spending trends. By looking at the negotiated prices for 287 inpatient treatments for 2015 and 2016, the Alliance found that total inpatient spending declined by 1.5%, accounting for a reduction of $29.5 million.

The Alliance found a decrease of $51.2 million in the number of inpatient treatments and a $21.7 million increase in treatment intensity and price. Executive Director Giunto added, "This first spending trend analysis introduces the idea of looking at the root causes of spending changes and gives us valuable information to start making changes to address them."

Both reports used multi-payer data from the Alliance's All-Payer Claims Database for inpatient treatments of minor severity for the commercially-insured.

About the Washington Health Alliance

The Washington Health Alliance works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to transform Washington state's health care system for the better. Bringing together organizations that share a commitment to drive change in our health care system, the Alliance offers a forum for critical conversation and aligned efforts with purchasers, providers, health plans, consumers, and other health care partners. The Alliance believes strongly in transparency and offers trusted and credible reporting of progress on measures of health care quality and value. The Alliance is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit with more than 185 member organizations.

Media Contact: Leslie Bennett
206.454.2961
[email protected]

SOURCE Washington Health Alliance

Related Links

http://wahealthalliance.org