State employees in Colorado can receive incentives for choosing healthcare providers that charge lower prices, Kaiser Health News reported Nov. 2.
State employees have access to the transparency tool Healthcare Bluebook. They receive a check from their employer if they choose to go to a provider rated in the top 25 percent for both quality and cost.
The money usually offsets the employee's copay, but for preventive services without a copay, the check is extra cash in their pocket.
Colorado's government is one of 12 employers in the Colorado Purchasing Alliance, a group trying to negotiate lower healthcare costs.
The program has been in place since July 1. Kaiser Health News reported it is too early to tell how much money the purchasing incentives save.