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Hospital Prices Have Risen Much Faster for Private Insurance Than Medicare Since 2019

Hospitals account for nearly one-third of US health spending and 40% of spending growth from 2022-2024. Analysis shows hospital prices paid by private insurers have risen faster than Medicare rates since 2019, a trend with implications for affordability.

Hospital prices paid by private insurers rose 30% from 2019-2026, compared to a 21% increase in Medicare payment rates. The disparate growth widened an existing gap between what Medicare and private plans pay for hospital services.

What Are the Recent Trends in Employer-Based Health Coverage?

Policy Changes Bring Renewed Focus on High-Deductible Health Plans

Health Insurer Financial Performance in 2024

Examining Short-Term Limited-Duration Health Plans

Health Care Affordability

BTD Health Policy in 2026

Health Policy in 2026

President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman forecasts eight things to look for in health policy in 2026. “First and foremost,” he writes, “is the role health care affordability will play in the midterms.” And, he notes: “The average cost of a family policy for employers could approach $30,000 and cost sharing and deductibles will rise again after plateauing for several years.”

View all of Drew’s Beyond the Data Columns

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  • Web Briefing for Journalists: How ACA’s Employer Requirements and Related Provisions Affect Businesses and Workers

    Event Date:
    Event

    A major piece of the Affordable Care Act will first take effect January 1 when larger employers will be required to offer coverage to their workers or face penalties. How do the penalties work and how are they being phased in? To help reporters understand and cover these issues, the Kaiser Family Foundation held a web briefing exclusively for journalists.

  • Low-Wage Workers Feel the Pinch on Health Insurance

    From Drew Altman

    In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman explores how low-wage firms and their workers are faring in the employer-based health insurance market and how the Affordable Care Act may influence future trends.

  • 2025 KFF Marketplace Enrollees Survey

    Poll Finding

    This survey explores how ACA Marketplace enrollees expect to respond if their premium payments doubled as expected in 2026 when enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire. About a third would very likely look for a lower-cost plan, even if it had higher deductibles, and about a quarter would very likely end up uninsured. The survey also examines how increased health care costs may affect their finances and the potential impact in next year's…

  • How Much is Health Spending Expected to Grow?

    Feature

    This chart collection explores how health spending is expected to grow in coming years, with a look at growth in prescription drug spending, out-of-pocket spending, and related trends.

  • Obamacare y Usted: Si tiene seguro médico a través de un empleador

    Fact Sheet

    Si usted tiene cobertura de beneficios de salud a través de su empleador o del empleador de un miembro de su familia, usted probablemente pueda mantener esa cobertura y no tener que hacer ningún cambio. En la mayoría de los casos, la cobertura de su empleador satisface los requerimientos de la ley sobre la obtención de seguro. Cambios en la cobertura del empleador Algunas características de la cobertura de su empleador pueden ya haber cambiado…

  • A Profile of Health Insurance Exchange Enrollees

    Report

    The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act calls for the creation of Health Insurance Exchanges in all states by January 1, 2014. The exchanges are a critical element of the health reform law, aimed at helping individuals and families shop for and purchase health insurance on their own with additional assistance for lower-income individuals and families. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that approximately 24 million people will purchase coverage through the state health exchanges…

  • Insurer Rebates under the Medical Loss Ratio: 2012 Estimates

    Report

    Beginning in 2011, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance plans to pay out a minimum percentage of premium dollars towards health care expenses and quality improvement activities, limiting the amount spent on administrative and marketing costs and profit. Under the law, large group plans are required to spend at least 85 percent of premium dollars on health care and quality improvement, while small group plans must spend at least 80 percent. These ratios are…