Advertisement
"No other transparency tool in the Colorado market today provides thedepth of information on the total costs of procedures as Anthem CareComparison," said Mike Ramseier, Vice President, Health Care Management,Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado. "Through this tool, our membershave access to the costs associated with all aspects of a specific medicalprocedure -- not just the cost of the procedure itself, but also the costs ofthe entire spectrum of care, from lab tests to recovery room charges. Thesemedical care cost estimates will help our members better understand theoverall costs they are likely to incur before a medical service is provided."
Advertisement
In addition, the cost information is facility specific, so members cancompare the differences in cost among hospitals, ambulatory surgery centersand/or free standing imaging centers, and get information on how frequentlyfacilities perform each procedure, which can assist the member in assessingthe care they seek.
The data generated for the Anthem Care Comparison tool comes directly fromclaims data that have been paid out over the past 12 months and is updatedquarterly. In addition, quality information, including ratings based on thenumber of services performed at each facility, is supplied by severalcompany-developed programs and partnerships with leading informationmanagement companies.
"Ultimately, we want Anthem Care Comparison to create well-informedconsumers of health care," said Dr. Art Jones, Anthem's Medical Director."Creating well-informed consumers, employers, physicians and hospitalproviders is an important element of transparency, and an essential step intransforming the consumers' role in their own health care."
Anthem Care Comparison is a feature of the company's 360 Degree Health(R)program, the most robust benefits program in the industry to comprehensivelyaddress preventive care, health improvement and care coordination. It provideshealth information and counsel collected from physicians, nurses, and otherhealth care professionals to Anthem members through a single point of contact.It integrates all care management programs and tools into a centralized,consumer-friendly resource that assists members in navigating the health caresystem, using their health benefits and providing information to help themaccess comprehensive and appropriate care. 360 Degree Health helps membersaccess a wide range of services, including online wellness and lifestyleprograms, discounts on health-related products, and alternative medicinetherapies. It also features 24-hour access to health care professionals whocan provide our members with health information.
The Anthem Care Comparison tool will provide members with valuable costinformation and increase their ability to make good, informed decisionsregarding where to receive a medical service and how much it will cost. Anthemplans to continue expanding this tool throughout the entire State of Colorado.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado:
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky MountainHospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue CrossBlue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of AnthemInsurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols areregistered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additionalinformation a
