'Cost Estimator' Helps To Fill the Information Gap for North Carolina Health Plan...

'Cost Estimator' Helps To Fill the Information Gap for North Carolina Health
Plan Members
Tool Assists Consumer-Driven Health Plan Enrollees the Most, According to a
New Report from HealthLeaders-InterStudy

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a
leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that the
recently launched Health Cost Estimator from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
North Carolina is part of a growing movement among health insurers to take the
mystery out of health costs. According to the latest North & South Carolina
Health Plan Analysis, the plan's recent move is more about creating awareness
of healthcare costs in the short term and encouraging members to seek cheaper
site options for care.
"One of the most innovative aspects of the estimator, besides the fact
that contracted prices are used instead of provider charges, is an option that
offers the total estimated costs for the entire course of treatment," states
Heather Wicks, analyst for HealthLeaders-InterStudy and author of the report.
Most of the major carriers are trying to push out some level of cost and
pricing information to consumers. CIGNA HealthCare offers tools in limited
areas that provide information about average costs for outpatient surgery
procedures and radiology. Humana members in some areas have access to average
hospital costs for procedures; and Aetna offers members physician-specific
pricing for 30 common services.
Members with the most motivation to check out the prices are consumer-
driven health plan enrollees, those who are mostly in a high-deductible PPO
tied to a health savings account and who pay more costs out of pocket. These
health plans were thought to have a big impact on reducing healthcare costs,
but those savings have not materialized in the way many had expected. The
Blue's plan pricing information is just one piece of the total solution needed
for consumers. The insurer intends to offer quality information as it expands
its tool.
For additional insight into the Health Cost Estimator, log on to our
website to download an audio interview with Heather Wicks, our market analyst
covering the North and South Carolina healthcare markets.
About Health Plan Analysis
Health Plan Analysis identifies key health plan trends, allowing
healthcare businesses to create comprehensive strategic plans and sales
strategies at state and local levels.
About HealthLeaders-InterStudy
HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a company of Decision Resources, Inc., is the
authoritative source for managed care data and analysis. For more information,
please visit www.HealthLeaders-InterStudy.com .
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Marshall
Decision Resources
781-296-2563
emarshall@dresources.com

SOURCE HealthLeaders-InterStudy

Elizabeth Marshall of Decision Resources, +1-781-296-2563,
emarshall@dresources.com