Hospital and physician office prices rose in September

Overall healthcare prices increased 0.2% in September and were 2.8% higher than a year ago, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the BLS' Producer Price Indices, which measure average changes in selling prices received by domestic producers for their output, overall hospital prices increased 0.2% in September and were 3% higher than a year ago, while physician office prices increased 0.1% from August to September and were 2.6% higher than in September 2008.