Price transparency is a critical part of providing an exceptional patient experience. Delivering consistency and convenience from point-of-care access to payment and empowering patients with critical information supports informed care choices that can result in better outcomes.
Rise of the consumer
One of the most significant trends in health care is aligning resources and investments to support a more consumer-centric care model. Empowered by technology, consumers are becoming better informed and more engaged in their care. They are increasingly able to make, in consultation with their families, physicians and others, the decisions that they believe are right for them.
Generally, this is a positive trend. Better informed consumers can take more control of their health care decisions. It also puts responsibility on their doctors and health systems to not just provide them with relevant information, but to make sure that it is higher quality, more usable, and easily and readily accessible.
Health care decisions can be difficult to make due to the many variables and inputs involved. Determining the best course of care requires consideration of cost, convenience and value. Costs for similar services can vary widely, even in the same geographic area, and sometimes with little clear rationale.