Analysis shows rising health care costs in Virginia

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) -An analysis by Altarum shows rise in Health Insurance premiums but lower health care spending in Virginia.

Julian Walker, Vice President of Communications for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association said the data from the analysis was from 2008-2022.

“Single coverage and family coverage and we are talking about insurance premiums have increased 76.6% and 79.3% respectively,” said Walker.

When you factor in the additional expense of deductibles, those numbers are actually an 89% increase, said Walker. The cost of health care spending in Virginia is below the national average.

”When you look at health care spending in Virginia what you actually see it is that health spending is actually lower in Virginia than for the national average,” said Walker.

When insurance companies refuse to cover certain procedures or where the patient can receive care, it can interfere with a patient’s care, said Walker.

”Lets say a patient needs a specific type of advanced scan, medical imaging, and the insurance company says well we are only going to pay for medical imaging of this type. The provider says well that type of medical imagining may not help us diagnose the patients condition well that has a potentially negative impact on the patient,” said Walker.

Walker said it is important to make sure there is accurate information regarding health insurance coverage and costs to with the public, so everyone can make the best decisions for their needs.

Copyright 2024 WHSV. All rights reserved.