Technology for Price Transparencies

How much does an annual check-up at your physician cost? How about a biannual dentist appointment? What happens if there is an accident and you break your arm? Who covers these expenses? Sure, there is insurance, but are you certain that you are fully covered? How much and what do your co-pays cover? The list of health related questions goes on…

            “Data is care.” This was one of the major conclusions we reached during last week’s discussion of technology use in the health field. While we were primarily speaking about data of the patients themselves – which of course is essential in proper treatment and management of their health – I wanted to focus my blog post on the “data” of the other side of the issue. More specifically, the use of technology in determining how doctors, hospitals, and the other areas in the medical field are represented is an important opportunity in the future of our health care system.

            The United States health care system is undoubtedly far from being known as an archetype of health care in the world. Before the passage of the Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act signed by President Obama in 2010, over 55 million Americans were uninsured. However, the United States spends a significant amount on national health spending. In fact, as seen in the graph below, the United States comparatively is increasingly spending a larger percentage of its GDP with no results to show for it.

   

                Even worse, the majority of American citizens do not have any sort of understanding or comprehension about their medical costs. Americans know and get to see firsthand the goods and services of almost everything they purchase, except in the realm of their health services, which is ironic because health is arguably the most important aspect of an individual’s life. 

            Recently, states and certain regions have been adopting policy regarding hospital price transparencies. To elaborate, these policies have required hospitals, doctor groups, and insurance companies to provide more data on the services they provide. For example, New Hampshire launched its site, HealthCost, in 2003, which provides comparative information about the estimated amount that a hospital, physician, etc. receives for their services. It provides information about the prices based on insurance plan and on procedure. This website is organized to directly serve consumers and make this type of information more accessible and convenient for them; it is a resource to guide individuals to make more informed decisions regarding their health care.  

In the effort to protect individuals and to effectively use the government’s resources, price transparency publications such as that of New Hampshire’s should be further implemented in areas across the nation. In a period where technology is so prevalent in American life, we should be using this technology for the betterment of citizens. Most Americans have easy access to the Internet, and these publications can be posted and updated on online venues. Maybe even in a couple of years, there will be iPhone apps that detect what area you’re in, the hospitals/emergency centers around you, and the prices of basic procedures that they offer. The distribution of information has been moving at the speed of light, but it has not reached its full potential in the realm of American healthcare. Engaging individuals in managing and being educated about their health and health services will help the country remedy its uncontrollable health spending habits. The United States should be more urgent in considering options such as using technology to increase price transparencies as they can prove to be a powerful example for other countries, especially those who are still developing and only beginning to implement information technologies in government sponsored areas. The way that they handle this data is a true indicator of the care they hold for American citizens.