This chart collection provides an analysis of recent trends in healthcare utilization and spending, highlighting significant shifts as of the first quarter of 2024. The data reveals that healthcare spending has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with costs rising at an accelerated pace, though the use of healthcare services varies by setting and market. Notably, hospital utilization remains lower than pre-pandemic levels, likely due to a continued shift toward outpatient care. Click here for article.
Increased Health Services Spending: Annual growth in health services spending has surpassed pre-pandemic rates, driven partly by inflation and workforce shortages.
Hospital Discharges Below Pre-Pandemic Levels: Despite a rebound, hospital discharges in Q1 2024 were still approximately 0.5 million below typical pre-pandemic numbers.
Outpatient Care on the Rise: There has been a steady increase in hospital outpatient visits, while inpatient admissions continue to decline.
Emergency Department Visits Rebound: The share of adults visiting emergency departments has returned to pre-pandemic levels, recovering from a significant drop during the early pandemic.
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