In a new report, the American Hospital Association (AHA) estimates that the financial impact to hospitals and health systems from COVID-19 expenses and revenue losses over the four-month period from March 1 and June 30 totals $202.6 billion, with losses averaging over $50 billion per month.
The estimate includes the costs of COVID-19 hospitalizations, canceled and foregone services, purchasing needed personal protective equipment and providing additional support to hospital workers.
“America’s hospitals and health systems have stepped up in heroic and unprecedented ways to meet the challenges caused by COVID-19,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “However, the fight against this virus has created the greatest financial crisis in history for hospitals and health systems. While we appreciate the support and resources from Congress and the Administration, many hospitals are still on the brink. We need further support and resources to ensure that we can continue to deliver the critical care that our patients and communities are depending on while also ensuring that we are prepared for the continuing challenges we face from this pandemic as well as other potential emergencies.”