Recent revisions to and recommendations for national health expenditures accounting

The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has importantly revised the methodology for estimating annual national health expenditures. Among other changes, the revisions estimated out-of-pocket spending directly, disaggregated expenditures to a greater degree, and reduced undercounting and double counting. Estimates of total spending and out-of-pocket spending changed. This article summarizes a meeting of a technical advisory panel, convened by HCFA, that reviewed the modifications adopted and made recommendations for future revisions.