How much do hospitals charge?
Hospital charges are defined as the amount the hospital bills for the entire stay (excluding most physician fees). Charges may not reflect the actual cost of hospital care or how much is paid. Many factors influence the cost of hospital care including patient severity, technology, range of services offered, and whether the hospital is a teaching institution, and others. The average charge for a hospital stay is more than $17,300 (2002 dollars) according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Consumers can compare Medicare & Medicaid charges and payments for Michigan hospitals at the Michigan Health and Hospital Association web site www.Mihospitalinform.com.
