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Consumers Turning to Comparison Websites To Evaluate Care Costs

Many employees who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans are becoming online “comparison shoppers” with regard to their medical care, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Variety of Cost-Comparison Options

Many cost-comparison tools for health plans can be found online, beginning with a simple Google search that might draw thousands of results.

In addition, there are websites that specifically cater to consumers seeking cost estimates for certain medical services and procedures and are capable of gathering information by state and location. These websites include:

  • PriceDoc;
  • MyMedicalCosts; and
  • HealthcareBlueBook.

Website Limitations

Such websites have certain limitations, the Times reports.

For example, few websites offer physician-by-physician pricing based on specific procedures. Some websites also might offer comparisons for only a small group of physicians or specialists in a certain field.

Website officials also acknowledge that the nature of medicine makes it difficult to provide consumers a price guarantee, particularly because patients’ requirements for treatment can vary based on their:

  • Age;
  • Current medical status; and
  • Family and personal medical histories.

Patrick Bradley — president and COO of PriceDoc — said that one patient might need extensive medical attention for an ailment, while another patient with the same condition might need only occasional medical care.

However, Bradley noted that the ability to compare costs for so-called price-predictable procedures — such as colonoscopies, mammograms and teeth cleaning — is improving (Kristof, Los Angeles Times, 10/24).

Source: iHealthBeat

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