Healthcare Transparency, Out-Of-Network Claims, and Technology Solutions

Another big focus area these days is around the creation of transparency solutions to enable consumers to make better cost decisions about their healthcare.  While several companies have sprung up to work directly with consumers, the large payers have begun to rollout their own solutions.   And, as you can see from the Towers Watson and National Business Group on Health 2012 Survey, this issue of transparency was the 3rd biggest focus area for 2013. 

If you havent’ heard much about the topic, here’s several articles about the challenge of price discrepancies and surprise bills to consumers:

• Navigating out of network claims
• Healthcare price differences
• Healthcare bargain hunters
• Employers need transparency tools
• Shopping for surgery

Here’s what UHG and Aetna are doing:

• United Healthcare’s transparency tool
• Aetna payment estimator

A few of the companies to look at are:

• Change Healthcare
• FairHealth
• Healthcare BlueBook
• CastLight

Companies like GoodRx are creating solutions in this area. 

You also might enjoy this infographic from Change Healthcare.

If you don’t believe this is a big issue in terms of price differentials, take a look at this data from the Healthcare Blue Book.  This shows a huge swing in prices which depending on your plan design can directly impact your out-of-pocket spend.