Other
Cost To Charges Ratio
HCA Healthcare Cost To Charges Ratio decreased by 8.0% to 9.2% in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 4.2%, from 9.6% to 9.2%. This is a positive signal — lower values indicate better performance for this metric.
Analysis
StatementIncome Statement
SectionOther
CategoryEfficiency
SignalLower is better
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2017
Last reportedQ1 2026Apr 29, 2026
How to read this metric
A lower ratio may indicate higher markups or improved cost management, while a higher ratio suggests rising costs relative to billing rates.
Detailed definition
This ratio measures the relationship between the actual cost of providing services and the gross charges billed to patie...
Peer comparison
Standard metric used in hospital accounting to translate charges into cost equivalents.
Metric ID:
other_cost_to_charges_ratioHistorical Data
15 periods
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 11.1% | 11.8% | 11.3% | 11% | 11.2% | 10.4% | 10.5% | 10.9% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 10.3% | 9.6% | 9.7% | 10% | 9.2% |
| QoQ Change | — | +6.3% | -4.2% | -2.7% | +1.8% | -7.1% | +1.0% | +3.8% | -7.3% | +0.0% | +2.0% | -6.8% | +1.0% | +3.1% | -8.0% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | -0.9% | -5.1% | -8.0% | -4.5% | -2.7% | -2.9% | -3.8% | -5.5% | -5.0% | -4.0% | -2.9% | -4.2% |
Range9.2% – 11.8%
CAGR-5.2%
Avg YoY Growth-4.1%
Median YoY Growth-4.1%
Cost To Charges Ratio at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is HCA Healthcare's cost to charges ratio?
- HCA Healthcare (HCA) reported cost to charges ratio of 9.2% in Q1 2026.
- How has HCA Healthcare's cost to charges ratio changed year-over-year?
- HCA Healthcare's cost to charges ratio decreased by 4.2% year-over-year, from 9.6% to 9.2%.
- What does cost to charges ratio mean?
- The percentage of gross patient charges that represents the actual cost of care.