New website compares Maryland hospital rates to help consumers

According to the Baltimore Sun, a new website launched Oct. 19 by the Maryland Health Care Commission will help consumers compare costs of operations at different Maryland hospitals and ultimately allow them to make more informed decisions.  

The website—wearthecost.org—compiles data and information that would otherwise need to be requested from hospitals or agencies directly in a user-friendly format. 

“We have felt for a long time that what we needed to do is get some clarity in this area of what things cost,” Maryland Health Care Commission Chairman Robert E. Moffit, PhD, told the Baltimore Sun. 

The information featured on the website include varying costs of four procedures offered at various Maryland hospitals: a hysterectomy, vaginal delivery, hip replacement and knee replacement. Data given for each operation at each hospital compiles the cost for surgery, doctor visits, physical therapy and information about how medical complications will impact the price of treatment, the operation itself and post care. According to the website, data are taken from claims from private insurance plan claims. Additional data from Medicare, Medicaid or those who pay out of pocket are not included but will be added soon.  

"With this information, everyone in Maryland can join a statewide conversation to better understand the differences in cost and quality that exist, work together to find solutions to reduce those differences, and help patients make the best choices for their care," according to wearthecost.org.  

For more information on wearthecost.org, see the entire article here.