Dissertation/Thesis Abstract

Analyzing inpatient hospital costs by payer: What do they mean for the future of health care in America?
by Meissner, Ryan, M.S., California State University, Long Beach, 2009, 94; 1472237
Abstract (Summary)

The purpose was to examine the relationship between incurred hospital inpatient costs and primary expected payer. The methods were completed retrospectively using random samples from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Using SPSS, various analyses were conducted using the primary expected payer variable and the total incurred patient charges variable. Other independent variables were also used to help analyze the data.

The results showed patients who died within the hospital incurred the highest average cost. Medicare patients incurred the highest average cost. Middle class Americans incurred the highest average charges. Finally, people within large metropolitan areas incurred the lowest average charge. In conclusion, the data suggested that a problem remains with end of life costs; insured Americans are charged more frequently even when not charged more; and economies of scale are reached in large metropolitan areas where health care facilities can act more business-like.

Indexing (document details)
Advisor: Reynolds, Grace
School: California State University, Long Beach
School Location: United States -- California
Source: MAI 48/02M, Masters Abstracts International
Subjects: Public health, Public policy, Health care management
Publication Number: 1472237
ISBN: 978-1-109-47423-7