A recent Becker Hospital Review article http://www.beckershospitalreview.com * noted: “A recent survey by TransUnion Healthcare has found the majority (54 percent) of insured consumers are either sometimes or always confused by their medical bills.”
“The survey made several findings concerning price transparency. The survey found 63 percent of survey respondents want to know the full cost of care, including their insurance company’s portion, while 35 percent said they only cared about their direct medical costs. The survey also found 62 percent of survey respondents were either sometimes or always surprised by their out-of-pocket medical costs.”
“Although 80 percent of respondents said receiving pre-treatment cost estimates and pre-treatment insurance coverage estimates would be helpful in managing medical costs, only about 25 percent of the “respondents had received pre-treatment cost estimates from providers.”
* to read the full BHR article ”Most Patients Are Confused By Their Medical Bills, Survey Finds, by Ayla Ellison, highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/most-patients-are-confused-by-their-medical-bills-survey-finds.html
Doctor, Did You Wash Your Hands? ™ provides information to consumers on understanding, managing and navigating health care options.
Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H., is Clinical Professor, Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Adjunct Professor, Baruch College ( C.U.N.Y.), Rutgers School of Public Health, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration.
This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.