According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for outpatient hospital services are 214.28% higher in 2026 versus 2002 (a $42.86 difference in value).
Between 2002 and 2026:Outpatient hospital services experienced an average inflation rate of 4.89% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, outpatient hospital services costing $20 in the year 2002 would cost $62.86 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.48% during this same period, inflation for outpatient hospital services was higher.
In the year 2002: Pricing changed by 10.18%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for outpatient hospital services during the 2002-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2002 (1.59%), 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 2002. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | $20.00 | 10.18% |
| 2003 | $21.82 | 9.09% |
| 2004 | $23.00 | 5.43% |
| 2005 | $24.08 | 4.69% |
| 2006 | $25.50 | 5.91% |
| 2007 | $27.39 | 7.40% |
| 2008 | $29.50 | 7.69% |
| 2009 | $31.68 | 7.39% |
| 2010 | $33.61 | 6.10% |
| 2011 | $35.31 | 5.05% |
| 2012 | $37.06 | 4.97% |
| 2013 | $38.85 | 4.82% |
| 2014 | $40.60 | 4.53% |
| 2015 | $42.17 | 3.86% |
| 2016 | $43.41 | 2.94% |
| 2017 | $45.57 | 4.97% |
| 2018 | $47.50 | 4.23% |
| 2019 | $48.28 | 1.66% |
| 2020 | $49.82 | 3.17% |
| 2021 | $51.05 | 2.48% |
| 2022 | $52.70 | 3.22% |
| 2023 | $55.47 | 5.27% |
| 2024 | $58.90 | 6.18% |
| 2025 | $61.47 | 4.35% |
| 2026 | $62.86 | 2.26%* |
* 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 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 103.333 | 112.517 | 124.742 | 138.700 | 153.392 | 168.667 | 184.308 | 195.025 | 204.558 | 215.050 | 224.858 | 233.150 | 246.000 | 263.792 | 281.142 | 309.775 | 337.933 | 356.275 | 372.983 | 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 | 816.187 | 859.231 | 912.326 | 952.050 | 973.566 |