Compare a colonoscopy procedure from one provider to another and you probably won’t find much difference. Compare the costs between several different providers and the differences will surprise you!
According to a June 1, 2013 article in the NY Times, a comparison of colonoscopy charges revealed that the costs varied from a billed amount of $7,563.56 in NH, to $9,142.84 in NY, to a staggering $19,438 for a colonoscopy with a polyp removal in NC. The Huffington Post recently posted the results of an MRI pricing variation in the DC area with a range from $400 to $1861, with no reasoning for the difference in pricing.
Whether or not your insurance company reimburses you for the cost of the procedure, and even if you seek treatment within your network of preferred providers, there can be a vast difference in pricing from one provider to the next. It’s no longer a case of “you get what you pay for” – the cost of the care has more to do with the economic needs of the provider than it does the level of care offered.
A Need For Transparency
Health care pricing transparency is the best tool that a consumer can have to make certain they are not overpaying for the services they need. Knowing the costs before seeking the treatment can help save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on medical bills, and avoid the stress of “sticker shock” when receiving the bill.
Most of us will do comparison shopping for many of the items we purchase – why not go through this same “shopping” process for our healthcare?
Where do you go to find these comparisons? There are patient advocacy and professional service companies who work with their clients to research providers and costs and many insurance companies and provider networks have developed price comparison tools for their customers.
For pricing transparency to really become effective, there needs to be a component measuring the quality of service as well. While it is much easier for consumers to obtain the pricing list for their providers, it’s a bit more difficult to determine the quality of care. Partnering with a quality patient advocacy firm could give you access to the data you need to make an informed decision.
Taking Health Into Your Own Hands
A more engaged consumer has a greater likelihood of making better choices and improving their overall health.
Consumer-driven health care is more than just a buzz word – as consumers we need to take a more pro-active approach to health care choices. Becoming engaged in personal healthcare decisions can help not only maximize cost savings but also have a positive impact on overall health.
Open a dialogue with your physicians. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the tests or treatment they are prescribing. If you’re not comfortable with the answers, seek a 2nd opinion.
Think Wellness
Controlling pricing is just one component of controlling the overall costs of an individual’s health care. Taking care of our health and wellness is a very important step to controlling future costs.
A news release posted on healthcare.gov talks about “participatory wellness programs” at the workplace - engaging employees to be more active and proactive about their overall health.
“Evidence shows that workplace health programs have the potential to promote healthy behaviors; improve employees’ health knowledge and skills; help employees get necessary health screenings, immunizations, and follow-up care; and reduce workplace exposure to substances and hazards that can cause diseases and injury.”
