Report: Global medical costs vary, but highest in U.S.
 |
The report surveyed the costs for 14 common medical services performed, such as angiograms, bypass surgery, head CT scans and MRI scans, among others.
The report showed that the cost of an angiogram averaged between $682 and $2,160 in the U.S., but the cost for the same procedure in Spain, the U.K., France and New Zealand were $117, $187, $245 and $749, respectively.
In addition, the report showed that the total cost for an average hospital stay was $1,679 in Spain, $4,715 in France and $7,707 in Canada, but the cost ranged from an average of $14,427 to $45,902 in the U.S.
The cost of bypass surgery was lowest in Argentina, at $4,959, but highest in the U.S., ranging from $59,770 to $126,182. The price of angioplasty was $1,641 in Argentina, $5,234 in Switzerland, $6,055 in Germany and ranged from $29,055 to $60,448 per procedure in the U.S.
Likewise, the drug prices for atorvastatin (Lipitor, Pfizer) and the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel (Plavix, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi-Aventis) were highest in the U.S.—between $129 and $134 for Lipitor and between $152 and $161 for clopidogrel.
In comparison, the cost of Lipitor was $0.43 in France, $31 in Canada, $31 in Spain and $39 in the U.K. The cost of clopidogrel was $15 in France, $57 in the U.K., $76 in Canada and $99 in Germany.
"As countries around the world look at the impact of their healthcare systems on their economies, the cost per unit of services, procedures and drugs is a key factor that needs to be understood. The total cost of care in each country is obviously driven very directly by the fees charged by the doctors, hospitals, and drug companies in that country," said Tom Sackville, CEO of IFHP.
The 2010 Comparative Price Report covers 2010 provider fees and drug costs in the following 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, U.K., and the U.S.