According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for outpatient hospital services are 727.54% higher in 2025 versus 1988 (a $145.51 difference in value).
Between 1988 and 2025: Outpatient hospital services experienced an average inflation rate of 5.88% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, outpatient hospital services costing $20 in the year 1988 would cost $165.51 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.72% during this same period, inflation for outpatient hospital services was significantly higher.
In the year 1988: Pricing changed by 8.89%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for outpatient hospital services during the 1988-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation for outpatient hospital services was much higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Outpatient hospital services, over time, for $20 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $20.00 | 8.89% |
| 1989 | $22.17 | 10.86% |
| 1990 | $24.65 | 11.19% |
| 1991 | $27.27 | 10.59% |
| 1992 | $29.98 | 9.96% |
| 1993 | $32.76 | 9.27% |
| 1994 | $34.67 | 5.81% |
| 1995 | $36.36 | 4.89% |
| 1996 | $38.23 | 5.13% |
| 1997 | $39.97 | 4.56% |
| 1998 | $41.44 | 3.69% |
| 1999 | $43.73 | 5.51% |
| 2000 | $46.89 | 7.23% |
| 2001 | $49.97 | 6.58% |
| 2002 | $55.06 | 10.19% |
| 2003 | $60.07 | 9.09% |
| 2004 | $63.33 | 5.43% |
| 2005 | $66.30 | 4.69% |
| 2006 | $70.21 | 5.90% |
| 2007 | $75.41 | 7.40% |
| 2008 | $81.21 | 7.69% |
| 2009 | $87.21 | 7.39% |
| 2010 | $92.53 | 6.10% |
| 2011 | $97.21 | 5.05% |
| 2012 | $102.03 | 4.97% |
| 2013 | $106.95 | 4.82% |
| 2014 | $111.79 | 4.53% |
| 2015 | $116.11 | 3.86% |
| 2016 | $119.52 | 2.94% |
| 2017 | $125.46 | 4.97% |
| 2018 | $130.76 | 4.23% |
| 2019 | $132.93 | 1.66% |
| 2020 | $137.15 | 3.17% |
| 2021 | $140.55 | 2.48% |
| 2022 | $144.98 | 3.15% |
| 2023 | $152.73 | 5.35% |
| 2024 | $162.30 | 6.27% |
| 2025 | $165.51 | 1.98%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Outpatient hospital services:
| Year | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 103.331 | 112.515 | 124.738 | 138.700 | 153.392 | 168.669 | 184.308 | 195.023 | 204.562 | 215.054 | 224.862 | 233.154 | 246.000 | 263.792 | 281.138 | 309.777 | 337.931 | 356.277 | 372.985 | 395.008 | 424.230 | 456.849 | 490.622 | 520.550 | 546.863 | 574.023 | 601.670 | 628.913 | 653.191 | 672.374 | 705.811 | 735.647 | 747.849 | 771.583 | 790.720 | 815.619 | 859.231 | 913.077 | 931.111 |