A new imaging price infographic based on recent information released in the CO APCD Shop for Care Tool (link) indicates that health care consumers could save thousands of dollars by shopping for imaging services. Specifically, by searching for high value providers, Coloradans can save:
- $2,000-$6,000 on CT Scans
- $3,000-$4,500 on MRI Scans
- $800-$1,000 on Ultrasounds
- $800 on Bone Density Scans
- $4,000 on Heart Vessel Studies
- $300-$1,000 on X-Rays
The Shop for Care Tool provides quality information and prices across named Colorado facilities for nearly 40 procedures including imaging and high cost episode-based procedures such as births and knee replacements. The previously-released infographic for episode-based procedures shows that patients can save $35,000 between the lowest and highest facility for knee replacements, $32,000 for hip replacement, and $20,000 on gall bladder surgery, among other services.
Health insurance premiums continue to rise and many consumers are faced with high deductible plans making this tool more relevant now than ever before.
In the upcoming months, CIVHC will provide more views of the Shop for Care information that can be used by stakeholders to address rising costs including geographic price variation and a breakdown of the allocation of payments included in the episodes.