Massachusetts is often viewed as a bellwether for the country when it comes to healthcare reform, and when it comes to price transparency, Massachusetts patients are eager for more information.
In 2012, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation that made additional changes to the state's progressive health system. For example, health plans must provide consumers access to provider-specific estimates of cost-sharing for procedures, hospital admissions and other data so people can expect what to pay out of pocket.
The Mass Insight Survey Research Group unveiled a study today, detailing how Massachusetts patients currently view the affordability of their healthcare and overall cost transparency. Here are some major findings from the survey:
• About 89 percent of respondents said it is important to know how much medical care will cost ahead of time.
• More than 70 percent of Massachusetts consumers are currently able to obtain "useful information" on how much their out-of-pocket costs will be.
• Two-thirds said if they had the option to compare prices of different hospitals and physicians, it would affect their healthcare decisions.
• Almost 80 percent of respondents said they would like to have access to a website that can compare varying hospital and physician costs.
In 2012, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation that made additional changes to the state's progressive health system. For example, health plans must provide consumers access to provider-specific estimates of cost-sharing for procedures, hospital admissions and other data so people can expect what to pay out of pocket.
The Mass Insight Survey Research Group unveiled a study today, detailing how Massachusetts patients currently view the affordability of their healthcare and overall cost transparency. Here are some major findings from the survey:
• About 89 percent of respondents said it is important to know how much medical care will cost ahead of time.
• More than 70 percent of Massachusetts consumers are currently able to obtain "useful information" on how much their out-of-pocket costs will be.
• Two-thirds said if they had the option to compare prices of different hospitals and physicians, it would affect their healthcare decisions.
• Almost 80 percent of respondents said they would like to have access to a website that can compare varying hospital and physician costs.
More Articles on Healthcare Price Transparency:
Price Transparency: Why It's an Issue & Where Hospitals Fit in
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4 Recent Events That Have Changed How Consumers View Healthcare