Transparency in coverage: Helping you find the right price for your health care
It’s true that health care can be pretty complex. But you shouldn’t need to uncover clues to feel confident that you can afford your care. That’s why we’re here to help you make informed decisions about your health and find quality options that fit your budget.
When you use your HealthPartners insurance, we can help you understand provider costs, estimate your out-of-pocket expenses and more. So the next time you see your doctor, you can focus more on your health and think less about what you’ll pay.
Our tools can help you estimate out-of-pocket expenses and more. They’re available if you have any medical insurance plan with us other than a Medicare or Medicaid plan.
3 things to keep in mind when comparing health care costs
Health care is different than other products and services. That’s because there isn’t always a set cost for everyone, and it can be hard to predict exactly what kind of care you’ll need before you get it. Even if you have insurance, these and several other factors impact what you’ll finally pay out of pocket.
We recommend keeping the below three things in mind when considering your health care options:
1. Whether your provider is in your plan’s network
One of the easiest ways to save money on your care is by going to an in-network provider. That’s because we’ve pre-negotiated reduced prices with these hospitals, clinics and pharmacies to help our members save money.
The easiest way to find an in-network provider is to
During an emergency, you might not have time to pick an in-network provider. But don’t worry – emergency care (no matter where you get it in the United States) is always covered at in-network levels. For follow-up care after an emergency, be sure to use in-network providers for the best coverage.
2. Where (and from whom) you get care and prescriptions
Even if they’re all in network, different providers may charge different rates for the same service or the same medicine. Those rates can also be influenced by where you get care or fill a prescription – for example, you may pay less when you visit the doctor’s office versus the emergency room, or when you have outpatient surgery at a specialty center versus inpatient surgery at a hospital.
If you have time, shopping around before your appointment, procedure, test or pharmacy visit is the best way to estimate costs and decide where to go. Most HealthPartners members can
3. Your provider’s cost and quality ratings
Cost isn’t the only reason to shop around for health care – it’s just as important to consider provider quality to prevent complications that may require more treatment in the future. You also want to be sure you’re getting the right value for your money.
When available, you’ll see cost and quality ratings on a four-star scale when you