05/22/2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22, 2020 Contact: Christina Crooks Bryan Cell: 302-245-1638,  christina@deha.org

Delaware One of the Least Expensive States for Hospital Expenses
DE Ranks 3rd for the Lowest Increase in Hospital Expenses Per Visit in the Nation over 10-year Period 

(DOVER, DE – May 22, 2020) – Today the Delaware Healthcare Association celebrated Delaware’s ranking as third in the nation for the lowest increase in hospital expenses per visit over a ten-year period. The ranking was done by QuoteWizard Insurance News, signaling that Delaware hospitals’ commitment to providing value-based care is paying off.

“Delaware hospitals and health care systems have made the commitment to delivering high-value health care to all Delawareans, and it shows,” said DHA President & CEO Wayne Smith. “By making substantial investments in the health of our community beyond the hospital walls, delivering care in the right setting at the right time, and entering into new payment and reimbursement models that prioritize quality over quantity, Delaware hospitals are successfully working to mitigate the total cost of health care delivery through value-based care.” 

The QuoteWizard Insurance News ranking analyzed American Hospital Association data via the Kaiser Family Foundation on hospital expense averages per visit in each state from 2009 to 2018 to determine which states have seen the largest and smallest increases in hospital expenses per visit.

From 2009 to 2018, the total expense hospitals incurred to care for patients has increased 36% across the country. Notably, Delaware hospitals have managed to keep that increase to a mere 5.5%, with an expense average per visit of $2,062 in 2018. This represents an increase of approximately $100 since 2009, earning Delaware the third lowest increase in hospital expenses per visit over ten years in the nation. The report also ranks Delaware at #20 in the nation for the lowest average hospital expenses per visit.

At the same time, Delaware hospitals have delivered high-quality health care, with an emphasis on patient safety. Delaware hospitals received top “A” and “B” grades in the Spring 2020 Hospital Safety Grade report by the Leapfrog Group. In 2019, Delaware was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as ranking #1 in Hospital Quality.

For more on the QuoteWizard Insurance News ranking, visit: https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/states-with-the-highest-hospital-expenses
 
About the Delaware Healthcare Association 
The Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) was formed in 1967 to assist Delaware hospitals in working on issues concerning health care and the hospital industry. DHA is a statewide trade and membership services organization that serves as a leader in the promotion of effective change in health services through collaboration and consensus building on health care issues at the State and Federal levels. DHA’s vision is to be the leading and respected voice for hospitals and health care delivery systems in Delaware working together to deliver compassionate, accessible, high quality, financially sustainable health care to the patients and communities they serve. DHA’s mission is to provide policy and advocacy leadership in creating an excellent environment for enabling every Delawarean to be as healthy as they can be.