Highmark Inc. is making it easier for members to take charge of their health and make important health care decisions. The newly enhanced Care Cost Estimator web tool lets members shop and compare costs on more than 1,600 medical services, giving them the information they need to find lower-cost, convenient and high-quality health care.
“Many consumers may not know that costs for common medical services can vary widely depending on where the service is offered,” said Steven Nelson, Highmark senior vice president of strategy, product and marketing. “The improvements to this tool make it easier for members to make cost‑conscious decisions about their health care, while ultimately helping them become more thoughtful and engaged health care shoppers. Care Cost Estimator helps put consumers in charge of their health care.”
Pulling from the largest national claims database in the commercial insurance industry and factoring in information from a member’s specific health plan — including the deductible and coinsurance payment — Care Cost Estimator shows Highmark members not only what a procedure costs but also calculates their out-of-pocket expenses.