Today, health insurer UnitedHealthcare launched a new online service that provides out-of-pocket cost estimates to consumers based on the insurer's actual contracted rates with hospitals and physicians in 47 different markets.
The tool, myHealthcare Cost Estimator, is available for more than 14 million people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare plans, and it allows consumers to shop prices of more than 100 common treatments and procedures, such as surgeries, lab tests, radiology tests and office visits.
"UnitedHealthcare's myHealthcare Cost Estimator is the kind of innovation that can enhance access to quality care by helping people become more savvy healthcare consumers," said Clint Hailey, chief managed care officer at Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, in a news release. "Transparency in quality and cost information is key to not only empowering individual patients and their families, but also helping to improve our nation's healthcare system."
The tool, myHealthcare Cost Estimator, is available for more than 14 million people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare plans, and it allows consumers to shop prices of more than 100 common treatments and procedures, such as surgeries, lab tests, radiology tests and office visits.
"UnitedHealthcare's myHealthcare Cost Estimator is the kind of innovation that can enhance access to quality care by helping people become more savvy healthcare consumers," said Clint Hailey, chief managed care officer at Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, in a news release. "Transparency in quality and cost information is key to not only empowering individual patients and their families, but also helping to improve our nation's healthcare system."
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