MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A new state law gives Wisconsinites more ability to shop around for their health care. The law took effect at the start of the New Year.
Among other things, it requires hospitals to release median charges for the 75 most common hospital treatments, and the 75 most popular outpatient procedures.
But the Wisconsin State Journal says the information can be confusing. For example, the median charge for hip replacements is about a-third more at Meriter Hospital in Madison than at the UW Hospital.
But based on what insurers cover, a person might pay the same or lower out of pocket costs at the higher-priced institution.
Chris Queram of the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality says any information is better than nothing. The paper said the data might be most useful for those who are uninsured, and those with high deductibles.
Assembly Democrat Jon Richards sponsored the new law. He said he wanted to give people a sense of where they can get the best value for their care. Rachel Currans-Sheehan of the state health services department says it will help patients determine their expenses – but they’ll have to work at it.
