Factors That Affect Auto Insurance: Hospital And Medical Costs
When you think about hospital costs, you probably think of health
insurance. Although it may not be as apparent, medical and hospital
costs affect auto and homeowners insurance too. Injuries to you
and others are covered by Medical Payments and Uninsured/Underinsured
Motorists coverages on your auto policy. Your homeowners insurance
policy most likely includes Medical Payments to Others coverage,
protecting those who are injured on your premises.
Five-year comparison of hospital costs
Provided below are the 1995 and 1999 adjusted per diem hospital
costs in major Ohio cities. (1999 statistics are the latest available
at close of publishing.) In recent years, average daily costs—especially
in Ohio’s metropolitan areas—have stabilized. In fact,
costs in the Steubenville/Wierton area showed a decline. Between
1995–99, the state average adjusted per diem cost of hospital
care rose 12.6% in metro areas and 15.7% in nonmetropolitan areas.
The statewide average showed a 12.9% increase during this five-year
period.
Source: Hospital Statistics,
1992–93 edition and 2001 edition,
published by the American Hospital Association
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One in 10 Americans, 31 million people,
went to an ER for treatment of an injury in 2000. Falls (23%)
were the most common cause of injury, followed by getting hit
by someone (18%), and transportation injuries (17%). The most
injury-prone segment of the population is men ages 15–19,
and the least injury prone is men ages 65–74.
(The Washington Post, 5/04/01) |
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