New Hampshire is one of three states that received an A for health care price transparency from the Catalyst for Payment Reform and Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute. Its report lauded NHhealthcost.org, created by the NH Insurance Department, for providing detailed pricing on a variety of procedures through easy-to-use public websites, backed by rich data sources.
The report card gave 43 states an F for “failing to meet even minimum standards.” In 2015, New Hampshire was the only state to receive an A rating. NHhealthcost.org uses actual, anonymous paid claims data from insurance companies to show patients (both insured and uninsured) estimated prices for 100 procedures at medical facilities around the state.
Earlier this year, the Department re-launched the website after a redesign and major updates, almost doubling the number of medical procedures available and adding pharmacy retail charges and information on dental procedures, physical therapy, behavioral health, chiropractic care, sleep studies, and lab tests.
The site also unveiled two new sections:
• “Quality of Care”: Offers a convenient way to see nationally available quality data on local health care facilities, such as infection rates, patient experience, and readmissions.
• “A Guide to Health Insurance”: Features frequently asked questions about getting health insurance, navigating the insurance system, and how to manage costs. Users can submit their own questions and give feedback on the information presented.
Current Issue - May 2024