Employers have been grappling with the widely varying prices medical providers in different regions of the U.S. charge for the same procedure. A report that offers a highly detailed look at those variances is certain to be discouraging to those trying to rein in health insurance plan costs.
The Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) studied the prices charged fort 240 medical procedures in states and cities around the nation. (Nine states weren’t included in the study due to lack of data.) The report, National Chartbook of Health Care Prices, reveals a shocking range of prices charged for the same procedure.
As have other similar studies, the HCCI’s culled out the cost for a knee replacement. It’s a commonly used benchmark; the surgery is generally not an emergency procedure, the steps involved are well documented, and most employer plans cover it. The authors offered these comparisons to highlight the nature of the problem:
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
