An HHS inspector general report found Medicare beneficiaries may face higher hospital bills for outpatient procedures, as opposed to inpatient, according to Herald-Tribune.
Here are four things to know:
1. The report found Medicare beneficiaries who underwent an outpatient procedure for a heart stent had hospital bills that were $645 higher than when patients had the procedure on an inpatient basis, on average.
2. The average cost for an outpatient heart stent totaled $1,667, compared to $1,002 for an inpatient stent.
3. Following the report, Medicare released a formal response saying the program has taken measures to protect patients from the cost disparities.
4. The report authors advise Medicare to analyze its billing rules concerning inpatient and outpatient stays.