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Factors That Affect Auto Insurance:
Hospital And Medical Costs

When you think about hospital costs, you probably think of health insurance. Although it may not be as apparent, medical and hospital costs affect auto and homeowners insurance too. Injuries to you and others are covered by Medical Payments (Med Pay), Bodily Injury Liability and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists coverages on your auto policy. Your homeowners insurance policy most likely includes Medical Payments to Others coverage, protecting those who are injured on your premises.

Five-year comparison of hospital costs

Provided below are the 2001 and 2005 adjusted per diem hospital costs in major Ohio cities. Average daily cost increases show large variances, with major cities experiencing decreases from 8.5% to increases just under 53%. Between 2001-2005, the state average adjusted per diem cost of hospital care rose 21.6% in metropolitan areas and 24.1% in nonmetropolitan areas. The statewide average showed a 22% increase during this most recent five-year period.

¹ 2001 per diem cost covers Cincinnati only (does not include Middletown)
² 2001 per diem cost covers Cleveland/Lorain/Elyria MSAs. 2005 includes Cleveland/Elyria/Mentor.
³ 2001 per diem cost covers Dayton/Springfield. 2005 figure covers Dayton only (does not include Springfield).
⁴ 2001 per diem cost covers Parkersburg/Marietta (does not include Vienna).
⁵ Springfield was included in the Dayton area per diem cost in 2001.
⁶ 2001 per diem cost covers Youngstown/Warren (does not include Boardman).
N/A: Per diem figure not available

Source: Hospital Statistics, 2003 and 2007 editions, published by the American Hospital Association

Americans used more hospital care in 2004 than 2003. Hospital admissions increased to 35.1 million, average length of stay was 5.6 days and 3.9 million babies were born. Emergency departments averaged 309,000 visits per day, 9.2% more than five years ago. While there was little change in the number of hospitals, the number of hospital beds declined slightly. (Hospital Statistics – 2006, American Hospital Association)