Comments on: A Database To Compare Health Care Costs At Colorado Hospitals http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/blog1/2010/01/19/a-database-to-compare-health-care-costs-at-colorado-hospitals/ Research and discussion of the Colorado health insurance industry and the healthcare crisis in America. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:12:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Jay http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/blog1/2010/01/19/a-database-to-compare-health-care-costs-at-colorado-hospitals/comment-page-1/#comment-14237 Jay Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:27:03 +0000 http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/blog1/?p=1610#comment-14237 The carriers will argue that they can't show the negotiated rates in a comparison tool because it's proprietary. I, however, disagree with that because it's an important consideration in the proposed world of consumer directed health care. In a free market world, their service will be to show off how much lower their negotiated rates are with providers because that's what you'll be paying until you reach your high deductible. A proposed insured shopping for a policy can compare the premiums of each carrier and cross reference those with the negotiated rates of each carrier to make a complete decision. Right now, purchasing health insurance is similar to car shopping and only knowing the price but not the mileage, safety ratings, etc. The carriers will argue that they can’t show the negotiated rates in a comparison tool because it’s proprietary. I, however, disagree with that because it’s an important consideration in the proposed world of consumer directed health care.
In a free market world, their service will be to show off how much lower their negotiated rates are with providers because that’s what you’ll be paying until you reach your high deductible. A proposed insured shopping for a policy can compare the premiums of each carrier and cross reference those with the negotiated rates of each carrier to make a complete decision.

Right now, purchasing health insurance is similar to car shopping and only knowing the price but not the mileage, safety ratings, etc.

]]> By: Louise http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/blog1/2010/01/19/a-database-to-compare-health-care-costs-at-colorado-hospitals/comment-page-1/#comment-14236 Louise Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:41:29 +0000 http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/blog1/?p=1610#comment-14236 Jim, Thanks for your comment. I am aware of Anthem's work in this area - they have been an industry leader in terms of transparency. But I would really like see a website that anyone can access (regardless of what health insurance carrier they use) and that compares pricing from providers across the state BEFORE network negotiated discounts are taken into consideration. I think it would be useful for consumers to be able to see "raw" prices that are being charged by various hospitals, in order to launch a discussion about value. From there, I think it would also be helpful for people to be able to see what the negotiated prices are with each of the major health insurance carriers, as that would be a helpful tool for consumers who are comparing health insurance plans. Having price-comparison tools from each carrier is a step in the right direction, but I think we can do a lot more in terms of real transparency. Jim,
Thanks for your comment. I am aware of Anthem’s work in this area – they have been an industry leader in terms of transparency. But I would really like see a website that anyone can access (regardless of what health insurance carrier they use) and that compares pricing from providers across the state BEFORE network negotiated discounts are taken into consideration. I think it would be useful for consumers to be able to see “raw” prices that are being charged by various hospitals, in order to launch a discussion about value. From there, I think it would also be helpful for people to be able to see what the negotiated prices are with each of the major health insurance carriers, as that would be a helpful tool for consumers who are comparing health insurance plans. Having price-comparison tools from each carrier is a step in the right direction, but I think we can do a lot more in terms of real transparency.

]]> By: Jim Sugden http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/blog1/2010/01/19/a-database-to-compare-health-care-costs-at-colorado-hospitals/comment-page-1/#comment-14235 Jim Sugden Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:11:06 +0000 http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/blog1/?p=1610#comment-14235 Thanks,for your frequent and informative posts. Are you familiar with www.healthgrades.com of with the work being in this area by Anthem? Resources to check the pricing on hospital stays and surgical procedures is already available to Anthem subscribers. Other carriers are also movign ahead with resources of their own. Additonally, McKesson offers a fairly extensive suite of internet tool to providers so that they can present an online menu of services to thier patients. The idea of improved transparency seem to be moving along quite well without government intervention. jls Thanks,for your frequent and informative posts.

Are you familiar with http://www.healthgrades.com of with the work being in this area by Anthem? Resources to check the pricing on hospital stays and surgical procedures is already available to Anthem subscribers. Other carriers are also movign ahead with resources of their own. Additonally, McKesson offers a fairly extensive suite of internet tool to providers so that they can present an online menu of services to thier patients.

The idea of improved transparency seem to be moving along quite well without government intervention.

jls

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