Hospitals see drop in insured patients

Hospitals are increasingly becoming concerned that they will treat fewer patients as the economy leads many to put off elective surgery (Source: “Hospitals See Drop in Paying Patients,” New York Times, Nov. 7, 2008)

A September survey of 112 nonprofit hospitals by a Citi Investment Research found that overall inpatient admissions were down 2 to 3 percent compared with a year earlier. About 62 percent of the hospitals in the survey reported flat or declining patient admissions.

While those numbers may not be indicative of a wider trend, hospitals are increasingly concerned that the numbers of elective surgeries may continue decline. In response, hospitals across the country are cutting their budgets.

“It’s safe to say hospitals are no longer recession-proof,” said David A. Rock, a health care consultant in New York.