Prices per inpatient stay at Maine Medical Center in Portland and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor are more than $30,000, compared with a national median of approximately $23,000, according to data analyzed by the state’s Office of Affordable Health Care.
The findings were reported Sept. 24 by Maine Public. The office also found that payments for outpatient hospital services in Maine increased by more than 40% between 2018 and 2024. Maine Medical Center is part of Portland-based MaineHealth and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is part of Brewer, Maine-based Northern Light Health.
State senior analyst Katie Senechal told the news outlet that outpatient surgery, administered drugs and radiology are the largest categories that make up that spending. She added that increases in outpatient surgery and administered drugs were driven by price rather than utilization, while radiology saw more utilization and only a modest increase in price.
In a statement to Becker’s, MaineHealth Chief Government Affairs Officer Katie Fullam Harris said the system has made strategic efforts to plan new models for new affordability and recognize the burden of cost for patients.
“Making healthcare more affordable is one of the most important challenges facing Maine, and MaineHealth has a responsibility to be part of the solution,” she said. “We recognize that the price of individual health care services is part of that challenge. At the same time, sustainably lowering what patients, employers and communities spend on healthcare requires us to address our total cost of care and the underlying cost and design of our healthcare system.”
Ms. Harris said Maine Health is changing how care is delivered to reduce costs.
“We have reduced more than $250 million in expenses over the past three years, and reducing our total cost of care is now central to our strategic plan,” she said.
Becker’s contacted the Maine Hospital Association, of which Northern Light Health is a member, and will update this story if more information is received.
Meg Garratt-Reed, executive director of the Office of Affordable Health Care, told Maine Public the primary driver of commercial hospital prices is market power. She also said hospitals with below average prices may find it difficult to sustain services.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
