business
Cost of physician services dips but is up 3.2% for the year
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 6, 2010
The amount of money paid for physician services went down in October but still grew at a pace greater than inflation during the past year, according to the monthly consumer price index report issued Nov. 17 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The physician services index declined by 0.1% in October but increased 3.2% for the year. The consumer price index went up by 0.2% in October, driven primarily by growth in the cost of gas and household energy (link).
Hospital services had the biggest price jump and increased 0.5% in October and 7.5% for the year.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/12/06/bibf1206.htm.
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