Healthcare DIVE May 29, 2019
Dive Brief:
National healthcare spending is projected to grow to $3.6 trillion in 2019, up 4% from $3.5 trillion in 2018, according to new predictions from Fitch Solutions. The analysis predicts U.S. pharmaceutical spending will grow 2.5% to $370.7 billion.
- The healthcare spending increase is largely attributed to Medicare’s rise as a leading payer for prescription drugs. Fitch Solutions does not expect private health insurance to be a significant contributor to spending growth. However, out-of-pocket spending on prescriptions is expected to become more widespread due to the removal of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.
- The forecast for the year is lower than what CMS anticipated in February. The Office of the Actuary had expected healthcare spending to increase...
Today's Sponsors
Today's Sponsor