According to a study conducted by Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Health Initiative, prices for medical services provided in outpatient settings were significantly higher when delivered in a hospital outpatient department from 2017 to 2022.
Conversely, prices for the same services were significantly lower when delivered in an ambulatory surgery center or a physician’s office, with relatively modest price growth over time.
These findings suggest that billing the same amount for the same service across care delivery settings would result in substantial savings for employers, employees, and patients.