THCE, TME, and APM
CHIA monitors health care spending by public and private payers in Massachusetts using three key metrics: Total Health Care Expenditures (THCE), Total Medical Expenses (TME), and Alternative Payment Methods (APMs). These measures are all reported in CHIA’s Annual Report on the Performance of the Massachusetts Health Care System.
5.7%
THCE per capita was $11,663 in 2024, a 5.7% increase over the prior year.
TME Trends Across Massachusetts Communities
The Total Medical Expense Trends Across Massachusetts Communities report considers how medical spending varies by geography and whether there is a relationship between certain spending categories and community characteristics.
Lower Spending
Monthly per-person medical and physician spending tended to be lower in communities where there was a higher concentration of residents who don’t speak English well, have less than a high school education, are between 18 and 64 years old, aren’t U.S. citizens, or identify as Hispanic/Latino.
Primary Care and Behavioral Health Spending
Primary care and behavioral health services have historically been under-resourced, making it difficult for many Massachusetts residents to obtain timely and affordable access to this vital care. This report focuses on spending for members enrolled in private commercial, MassHealth, and Medicare Advantage plans.
6.6%
Primary care continued to represent a modest share of total health care spending in 2024, accounting for 6.6% of commercial, 8.4% of MassHealth, and 4.2% of Medicare Advantage spending.
How Rising Health Care Costs Impact MA Residents
This special report delves deeper into the affordability metrics from the March 2025 Annual Report to look at how variations in health insurance plans and care needs impact total monthly expenses for residents in 4 different scenarios—falling short in all cases.
Recommended Links
Annual Report
Statewide THCE totaled $83.3 billion or $11,663 per person in 2024, a 5.7% increase from 2023, according to CHIA's latest Annual Report on the Performance of the Massachusetts Health Care System.
Payer Expenditure & Utilization Data
CHIA’s aggregate payer data collects information from commercial health insurance plans in Massachusetts to support a better understanding of health care costs, spending trends, and how care is delivered across the state.
Total Medical Expenses (TME) and Alternative Payment Methods (APM) Data Submissions
Find submission requirements for payers reporting total medical expense and alternative payment method data to CHIA, including specifications and deadlines.