Health Affairs, doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.26.2.w208 (Published online February 6, 2007) © 2007 by Project HOPE	New Online   House Health Reform Bill   Paying for Reform   Vetting AHIP's Report   HIV/AIDS Costs   Brief: Insurance Reform   HA Blog Top 10

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Shopping For Price In Medical Care

¹ Paul Ginsburg is president of the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington, D.C.

^*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Insurers are well positioned to support their enrollees in shopping for care because of their ability to analyze complex data--reflecting both their negotiated discounts and the enrollee's benefit structure--should they decide to commit resources to this task. Government transparency initiatives can help those who are uninsured or want to use out-of-network providers with data on prices and all patients by gathering and disseminating data on quality. But clumsy requirements to disclose insurer-provider contracts could lead to higher prices. Greater price transparency might help curb rising costs, but many overstate the likely magnitude of its contribution. [Health Affairs 26, no. 2 (2007): w208-w216 (published online 6 February 2007; 10.1377/hlthaff.26.2.w208)]

Key Words: Business Of Health, Consumer Issues, Insurance Coverage, Health Spending, Insurance Market

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