Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth now offers a price estimates tool that provides patients with out-of-pocket cost estimates for select services and procedures based on their insurance plan information.
The 10-hospital system, which announced the tool Dec. 4, said it offers the estimates through its online patient portal, mobile app and a call center.
"UCHealth is focused on providing an excellent experience for our patients, and this includes increasing transparency in the insurance and billing process," said UCHealth President and CEO Elizabeth Concordia. "This innovative service helps patients understand and plan for their out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare."
Hospitals nationwide offer price estimates, but UCHealth said its tool is unique in that it factors in the patient's insurance plan details, along with their deductible amount.
The system can obtain a patient's insurance information via the insurance company and see how much of the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum the patient has already met. The patient is then able to pick a service and facility to compare costs and receive an estimate, said UCHealth. The tool provides estimates for more than 150 procedures and services such as MRIs, CT scans, delivery, orthopedic surgeries and cataract removal.
Estimates are available through UCHealth's My Health Connection portal or mobile app.
If an estimate is not available through the portal, patients can get them by phone. Professional fees for independent physicians are not included in estimates.
More information about estimates is available on UCHealth's billing and pricing information page.
More articles on healthcare finance:
Neonatal telehealth reduces transfers, boosts community hospital revenue, study finds
CMS cuts payments to 11,000 nursing homes, cites readmission rates
For-profit hospital stock report: Week of Nov. 26-30