Blues giant WellPoint, Indianapolis, is collaborating with four major independent Blues plans on a cost-transparency program, writes Modern Healthcare. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, Premera Blue Cross in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., and Pittsburgh-based Highmark will provide the total estimated cost ranges associated with 39 medical procedures completed at hospitals, outpatient centers and other facilities.
The cost ranges will be facility-specific so health plan members can do comparisons online. The cost data will be based on claims-paid data over the past 12 months and will be updated every six months.
