Comments on Cooper et. al - Hospital Prices Grew Substantially Faster Than Physician Prices For Hospital-Based Care in 2007-14

Monica Noether, Benjamin Stearns, and Sean May share comments on a study titled “Hospital Prices Grew Substantially Faster Than Physician Prices For Hospital-Based Care in 2007-14”, which analyzes hospital and physician prices negotiated by major health insurers. They discuss various factors that, in their view, are likely explanations of the study’s observed differences in price increases, including differential cost increases and inconsistencies in how the study’s authors calculated price increases for hospitals and physicians. Noether, Stearns, and May believe a good deal of additional evidence and analysis are required before the study’s findings could contribute toward useful policy recommendations.