The Cost of Healthcare in Utah

Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care 2008

Tracking the Care of Patients with Severe Chronic Illness
A study by researchers at Dartmouth Medical School, The Dartmouth Atlas of Healthcare cites the Mayo Clinic, Sutter Healthcare and Intermountain Healthcare as national benchmarks for high quality low cost care. The report shows that Utahn's benefit from a coordinated approach to using health care resources, resulting in less exposure to risks associated with unnecessary care.

Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care – current report

U.S. Lifestyle Factors Linked to Chronic Disease & Healthcare Costs

According to a recent Article in Health Affairs, Americans are more likely than their European contemporaries to be diagnosed with chronic disease, adding as much as $150 billion to US healthcare spending. Researchers say obesity and other lifestyle factors are fueling the sharp rise in America's healthcare costs.

Health Affairs: The Policy Journal of the Health Sphere

Patients Demand for Medical Services Grows by 20 Percent

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that visits to doctor's offices and hospitals have surged by 20 percent, from 1995 to 2005. Consumers demand for more healthcare services are fueled by ageing baby boomers, chronic illnesses and increased medication usage. In Utah, Intermountain Healthcare reports that the nonprofit health system's acute admissions have increased 17 percent, emergency room visits have increased 14 percent, and charitable care has increased 290 percent (from $28.5 million to $85.6 million) during the same time period studied.

Ambulatory Medical Care Utilization – Patients demand more care, CDC

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

The most complete source of comprehensive data about the cost of healthcare in the nation, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

MEPS: Health Care Costs

Congressional Budget Office – Geographic Variations

Medicare data suggests that Utahns spend less per capita than the residents of any other state on healthcare, and yet we have some of the nation's best medical outcomes. This report, from the Congressional Budget Office looks at the geographic variation in healthcare comparing Utah to the rest of the country.

Geographic Variation in Health Care Spending

U.S. spends more on healthcare than other developed nations

According to the Wells Fargo Wasatch Front Cost of Living Index, healthcare inflation rates in Utah generally match the inflation rate for all other non-healthcare goods and services. But nationally, healthcare costs have increased dramatically over the past 20 years – surpassing the general rate of inflation. This site provides a snapshot from the Kaiser Family Foundation of US healthcare costs compared to other developed countries.

Health Care Spending in the U.S. – Kaiser Foundation

How new medical technology affects healthcare costs

This article from the Kaiser Family Foundation describes the costs of new research and technology as they impact the general cost of healthcare. New technological advances along with the use of new drugs, devices, and procedures can create remarkable results. But they are one of the main reasons healthcare costs continue to rise.

Medical Technology Affects Costs – Kaiser Foundation

Obesity and other lifestyle decisions affect healthcare costs

Researcher at the Rand Corporation say that obesity is a major contributor to rising healthcare costs with a bigger impact on health spending than smoking or alcohol use.

Obesity and Disability – Rates and Costs, RAND Health
Obesity Risks: Worse Than Smoking, Drinking – RAND Health