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Fierce Q&A: UnitedHealthcare launches price tool for retail shoppers
FHP: How does UnitedHealthcare's cost estimator differ from other payers' cost tools?
Martin: Unlike some comparable tools, which may only rely on old claims data from a small portion of employers, myHealthcare Cost Estimator data is based on actual physician and hospital rates for more than 100 different procedures and services across 47 geographic areas. These estimates include surgeries, lab tests, radiology tests and office visits.
myHealthcare Cost Estimator also is integrated with UnitedHealthcare's customer service tools, providing custom "care paths" for individuals based on the treatment they're researching. Care paths bundle quality and price information, alternate treatment options, local physicians and hospitals performing the procedure and health benefits information to help consumers better understand and anticipate the entire healthcare experience for a given treatment or procedure.
FHP: Provider collaboration is key to ensuring the cost estimator's accuracy. How did UnitedHealthcare reach out to providers?
Martin: Collaboration with healthcare providers is always a top priority. Prior to launch, we shared information about myHealthcare Cost Estimator with a number of providers for their feedback and input and continue to actively communicate with them.
FHP: Does UnitedHealthcare have any future plans for the cost estimator? Will it continue to update cost information?
Martin: UnitedHealthcare will continue to expand the capabilities and the availability of myHealthcare Cost Estimator to meet the needs of our customers, plan participants and care providers.
Future plans include expanding the list of treatments and procedures available through the tool and the geographic markets in which plan participants are able to access it. UnitedHealthcare will also integrate myHealthcare Cost Estimator with Health4Me, a mobile app that allows people to access important healthcare information using a smartphone.
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