Hospital CPI jumps 0.9% in January after weak results in 2013

The Consumer Price Index for hospitals increased 0.9% in January, rebounding after declines and weak growth late last year.

Last month's growth of nearly 1% followed an increase of 0.3% in December and declines of 0.3% each of the prior two months. January's increase was largely a result of rising inpatient prices, which climbed 1.4% last month, while outpatient prices increased a more modest 0.4%.

For the year that ended in January, the index increased 4.8% compared with 4.7% the prior year.

The Consumer Price Index reflects changes in commercial reimbursement to providers.

Physician service prices declined by 0.2% last month after an increase of 0.3% in December. For the year that ended in January, the Consumer Price Index for physician services increased 1.6% compared with 2.2% the prior year.

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