The Maryland Health Care Commission launched an online tool Oct. 19 to help patients compare cost and quality differences between various hospitals across the state.
The initiative, "Wear the Cost," aims to create a statewide conversation about the disparities in healthcare at the state level.
"We want to expand access to and increase affordability of healthcare services, and to do that we must more actively engage consumers," said Ben Steffen, executive director of MHCC. "That's why knowing the cost, talking about the cost and 'Wearing the Cost' matters for patients that will need these services and for other consumers that are affected by high health insurance premiums."
As part of the campaign, MHHC created WearTheCost.org, an online platform where patients can gather information about four common medical procedures performed at various hospitals, including hip replacement, knee replacement, hysterectomy and vaginal delivery. The website calculates two types of costs patients may incur: the typical and expected costs — office visits, surgery, physician consultations, etc. — and costs associated with potentially avoidable complications, such as mistakes made in a clinical setting or failure to follow guidelines.
"In Maryland, you might pay $37,225 for a knee replacement at one hospital and $22,687 for a knee replacement at another — this difference can translate to hundreds, even thousands, of dollars more out of the pockets of Maryland residents," said MHCC Chairman Robert E. Moffit, PhD.
MHCC officials said they aim to release price information on common outpatient procedures and other inpatient procedures during the coming year.
To learn more about the "Wear the Cost" campaign, click here.