Consumer prices for hospital services increased 0.7% last month after a record spike in August of 1.9%, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The September increase in the Consumer Price Index was more in line with a 0.5% average one-month change to the index, which reflects the prices paid to hospitals by commercial insurers. In September 2012, the Consumer Price Index for hospital services was 0.5%.
For the year that ended last month, the Consumer Price Index for hospital services climbed 5.9% compared with 5% the prior year.
The inpatient hospital consumer prices increased 0.6% last month and outpatient hospital prices climbed 0.7%.
Physician services increased 0.1% last month after remaining flat in August and climbing 0.4% in September 2012.
For the year that ended last month, the Consumer Price Index for physician services increased 1.2% compared with 2.9% the prior year.
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