Title: |
|
The High Concentration of U.S. Health Care Expenditures |
Publication date (print version): |
|
August 2006 |
Description: |
|
In 2004, the United States spent $1.9 trillion, or 16 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), on health care. This averages out to about $6,280 for each man, woman, and child. Analyses of health care spending patterns shed important light on how best to focus efforts to help restrain rising health care costs. Recognition that a relatively small group of individuals account for a large fraction of spending in Medicare, Medicaid, private plans, and the population as a whole serves to inform more focused cost-containment strategies. The concentration of health care expenses also has implications for the effective design of consumer directed health plans. Research also continues to raise awareness of the importance of chronic conditions in overall spending and as a major driver of cost increases, leading to disease management programs and other efforts to both improve quality and reduce the costs of conditions such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity. |
Agency: |
|
Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality |
Back
Email Updates
