Bayonne Hospital Rates Most Expensive in U.S.?

A northern New Jersey hospital is reportedly the most expensive in the country.

The New York Times found Bayonne Medical Center charged the highest for nearly one-quarter of the most common hospital treatments.

The newspaper analyzed Medicare bills from 2011, the most recent available. The data showed how much hospitals charged Medicare for 100 common cases.

Bayonne Medical was found to charge four times more than the national average.

Based on bills it submitted to Medicare, the newspaper found Bayonne Medical charged five times as much as other hospitals for cases of chronic lung disease.

It was also found to charge six times the national average for treating a type of stroke that has no lasting effect.

Officials of the privately held hospital did not return requests for interviews.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)