UnitedHealth Group, the nation's largest private insurer, said today that an increase in outpatient treatments from January to March was partly offset by a lack of growth in hospital stays, signaling a movement from inpatient to outpatient settings.
According to a Kaiser Health News report, treatment volume is "tracking right in line with [UnitedHealth's] expectations," according to chief financial officer Dan Schumacher. He said UnitedHealth sees the most increase in outpatient settings, with hospital bed days flat to down in each of the company's businesses.
The insurance company's expected 2012 cost increase for medical treatment, including price hikes from physicians and hospitals, remains at 6 percent, according to the company.
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According to a Kaiser Health News report, treatment volume is "tracking right in line with [UnitedHealth's] expectations," according to chief financial officer Dan Schumacher. He said UnitedHealth sees the most increase in outpatient settings, with hospital bed days flat to down in each of the company's businesses.
The insurance company's expected 2012 cost increase for medical treatment, including price hikes from physicians and hospitals, remains at 6 percent, according to the company.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
U.S. Insurer Blames Branded Drugs for $2B Annual Spending Waste
HHS Calls Missouri Health Premium Increases Unreasonable