According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for outpatient hospital services were 4.62% higher in 2020 versus 2018 (a $0.92 difference in value).
Between 2018 and 2020: Outpatient hospital services experienced an average inflation rate of 2.28% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, outpatient hospital services costing $20 in the year 2018 would cost $20.92 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 1.37% during this same period, inflation for outpatient hospital services was higher.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Outpatient hospital services:
| Year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| CPI | 735.647 | 747.849 | 769.647 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Outpatient hospital services, over time, for $20 beginning in 2018. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $20.00 | - |
| 2019 | $20.33 | 1.66% |
| 2020 | $20.92 | 2.91%* |