AboutHealthTransparency.org is a nonprofit website that publishes resources and news about health care price transparency. In addition to tracking health care price transparency since 1999, the site includes a directory of health care provider report cards organized by U.S. state and by country.
The Health Care Cost Institute has de-identified claims data from three big health insurers, which it has been using to analyze cost trends. Here’s a link to several state-focused issue briefs on scope of practice, cancer care, telemedicine and other issues.
Consumers Union has a useful glossary of terms used during discussions of drug pricing.
Georgetown’s Health Policy Institute, backed by RWJF, looks at how seven states are dealing with “surprise” health care bills and balance billing in this report.
ProPublica has launched a web app that allows consumers – and journalists – to look up their current plan to see how premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs will change next year, or compare all 2015 plans offered in an area
The Altarum Institute’s Center for Sustainable Health Spending has monthly briefs on health care spending, health care prices, and employment in the health care sector.
National Conference of State Legislatures health reform legislation database
The NCSL is tracking new bills filed in response to the Affordable Care Act. With the major features of the federal law in effect as of Jan. 1, 2014, this database includes the latest state measures being considered during 2014 sessions.
Cracking the Code on Health Care Costs: A state-focused health cost and delivery system report from a commission established by the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.
Here’s an updated (early 2014) CBO overview assessment of health reform and health entitlements.
White House report: Trends in health care cost growth and the role of the Affordable Care Act, November 2013
This report analyzes recent trends in health care costs, the forces driving those trends, and their likely economic benefits. It states that health care spending growth is the lowest on record and that, “while the causes of the slowdown are not yet fully understood, the evidence available to date supports several conclusions about the slowdown and the role of the ACA.”
Reference Pricing: Will Price Caps Help Contain Health Care Costs?
On Nov. 18, 2013, a panel of experts addressed a new strategy employers have begun known as “reference pricing” to help reduce health care costs. Under this benefit design, employees get insurance plans that set price caps on certain services and procedures. Enrollees are allowed to use any provider. But if they use providers with fees higher than the “reference price,” they must pay the difference between the reference price limit, determined by the employer or insurer, and the actual charge. The transcript and video are available here. The event was sponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform and WellPoint.
The State of the Art of Price Transparency Tools and Solutions
A report released on Nov. 20 by Catalyst for Payment Reform examines the leading price transparency tools and solutions available from health plans and independent vendors and offers insight on where they excel and where they may fall short. A high-level summary can be found in the Health Affairs blog.
own as “reference pricing” to help reduce health care costs. Under this benefit design, employees get insurance plans that set price caps on certain services and procedures. Enrollees are allowed to use any provider. But if they use providers with fees higher than the “reference price,” they must pay the difference between the reference price limit, determined by the employer or insurer, and the actual charge. The transcript and video are available here. The event was sponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform and WellPoint.
The State of the Art of Price Transparency Tools and Solutions
A report released on Nov. 20 by Catalyst for Payment Reform examines the leading price transparency tools and solutions available from health plans and independent vendors and offers insight on where they excel and where they may fall short. A high-level summary can be found in the Health Affairs blog.