Comparing cost of care
Published May 29, 2013 2:04 PM
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Updated May 29, 2013 3:04 PM
1 Min Read
Victoria Bogatyrenko, vice president of product development at UnitedHealthcare, tells EBN that the "">Cost Estimator is about far more than just comparing prices; its about making it easier for health care participants to make good decisions. As more employers move to consumer-driven health plans, she says, shopping for quality health care providers will become important work. Here we look at three common medical events that benefit from a little comparison.
1. Imaging & X-rays
Im going to pick on radiology, Bogatyrenko says. You can get that done at a hospital, at a freestanding facility or, in many cases, at your doctors office. Of course, most general practitioners dont perform CAT scans, but just knowing the best venue for a procedure can go a long way.
2. Physical therapy
Back disorders are the No. 2 cause of long-term disability, behind only cancer. We see this [tool] as first informing people were educating on cost, Bogatyrenko says. Over time, as more consumers use it, we could see it impacting overall cost. The transparency of price comparison for something like post-injury rehab, in other words, could itself help drive those costs down.
3. Gastroenterology
UnitedHealthcare says the total cost for a colonoscopy at hospitals in the Phoenix area can be between $1,540 and $6,020, but thats exactly the kind of preventive procedure that consumers shouldn't forgo because of out-of-pocket expense. Shopping for a deal may help wary patients commit to their due diligence.
