Consumers are increasingly turning to the Web to compare medical fees as the economy and less generous health benefits squeeze household budgets.
Shopping around for lower-priced medical care has never been easier. More than 30 states have passed laws that require online publication of medical fees by hospitals and other health care providers.
Patients with insurance can start their search on their insurers’ web site.
Aetna Inc., UnitedHealth Group Inc., and Cigna Corp., provide cost and quality information for thousands of hospitals, doctors and clinics.
But combing through often confusing and overlapping Web sites set up by doctors, hospitals, insurers and state officials can be daunting. And even when patients think they know exactly what they’ll be paying, unexpected fees can quickly inflate medical bills.
That’s why doing the research is just the start. Patients should also ask plenty of questions to avoid surprise charges.
Rising health care insurance premiums, co-pays and deductibles, as well as the growing number of uninsured, are creating new demand for data on the cost of medical services.
Experts recommend patients ask in advance whether a doctor’s office is affiliated with a hospital, and whether there are extra charges. Patients should also check with their insurer to see whether facility fees are covered. Cigna, for instance, covers the fees so long as the care is “medically necessary,” and covered by the patient’s plan. (AP)
