CT health prices higher than US average and growing faster

Health care prices in Connecticut are higher and rising more quickly than the US average, according to the Healthy Marketplace Index. The Index is a map-based tool from the Health Care Cost Institute that compares local prices for inpatient, outpatient and physician services across the US for 2012, 2013 and 2014. The researchers found significant price variation between communities, especially in outpatient care. Among the four CT communities included in the tool, none have prices in any category below the US average. Bridgeport leads the state in both inpatient and outpatient prices; physician costs are highest in New Haven. Compared to neighboring states, CT health care prices are lower than New York City (except physicians) but higher across all three categories than in Providence.

2014 health cost ratios
relative to US average
Inpatient
Outpatient
Physician services
Bridgeport – Stamford – Norwalk
1.27
1.09
1.16
New Haven – Milford
1.17
1.03
1.24
Hartford – West Hartford – East Hartford
1.15
1.02
1.18
Norwich – New London
1.18
1.08
1.04
New York – Newark – Jersey City
1.31
1.16
1.1
Providence – Warwick
1.04
0.94
0.94
US average
1.0
1.0
1.0