Until recent years, if you were a patient needing a health care service, it was nearly impossible for you to determine what it might cost you unless you had health insurance and access to a cost estimator tool. If you didn’t have insurance, your only option was to start calling Read more…
When I started reading this year’s 2018 Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) Annual Report, I have to admit I got a little teary. Before you think I’ve lost my mind and cry over health care claims data (that would just be weird), you need to know something about Read more…
On a monthly and quarterly basis, health insurance payers including Medicaid, over 33 commercial payers, and Medicare submit claims to the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD). Payers submit claims for everyone they provide coverage to, regardless of whether they accessed health care during the previous period or not, Read more…
by Cari Frank, CIVHC’s VP of Communication and Marketing My friend’s father just had surgery to release pressure from an accident that caused swelling in his brain. After the bill arrived, he was shocked that the surgeon billed $10,000 for the surgery, yet only received $1,500 from Medicare. That’s when Read more…
Two of the big draws to living in Colorado are the sunny days and endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, not everyone can take full advantage of what Colorado has to offer when limited by illnesses and chronic conditions. Staying as healthy as possible is paramount to enjoying life Read more…
If you’re a fan of the Simpsons, you’ve probably encountered an episode or two with the rather unconventional and reckless character, “Dr. Nick”. If you’re not familiar with Dr. Nick, all you need to know is that he was challenged by a Malpractice Board for performing surgery with a knife Read more…
January is the month when people often take note of how much they spent during the holidays. Many look at their bank accounts wondering how they spent so much money and where it all went. Maybe you had a few individual big ticket items that were expensive, or maybe you Read more…
“Data Liberacion!” “Free the Data!” “Transparency or Bust!” If all of the organizations working on controlling health care costs were to hold a rally to push for a better system, it’s likely many would be carrying (or wearing) signs saying all of the above. But what do we mean when Read more…
Think about the last time you purchased a cell phone. You probably had a lot of choices including multiple versions of the iPhone and Android phones, all with unique bells and whistles which impacted the price you would have to pay. Regardless of what you chose, you likely knew that Read more…
Across the U.S. and in Colorado, health care costs continue to rise. But what kind of costs are economists, policy makers and others referring to when they talk about making health care more affordable? It honestly depends on who is talking, what data they are using, and what parts of Read more…