888-765-5400Compare Cost of More than 1,200 Medical Procedures with BCBSNC
As a consumer, shopping around to determine the cost of a particular medical procedure or surgery has not been a simple task – until now. In early January, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC introduced a new public search tool – The Treatment Cost Estimator. This new search tool allows consumers to compare the cost of more than 1,200 medical procedures by simply typing the name of the procedure into a search box. BCBSNC has taken the data they have accumulated from paying thousands of health care claims each day and made that data available to the general public allowing consumers to become more informed and make more educated decisions about their medical care.
Now consumers can easily search to determine how much a surgery or procedure might cost them. They will also have the ability to compare the costs among medical facilities and doctors in their area. The search tool is not only available to members of BCBSNC, but to the general public as well. Anyone can access the search tool on the BCBSNC website. It also enables consumers to compare the cost of common health care procedures at hospitals and other health care providers based on BCBSNC’s broad-network Blue Advantage plan and its narrow-network Blue Value plan. The Treatment Cost Estimator is so innovative it even caught the attention of Forbes Magazine. Forbes’ contributor Dan Munro writes, “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is among the first (if not the first – certainly as a major) to offer these closely guarded, negotiated rates to the general public.”
The Treatment Cost Estimator is another example of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s strong presence in the health care industry and their commitment to providing consumers with the tools necessary to make informed decisions about their medical care and coverage. Unexpected medical costs can create a huge burden on a person or family and having the ability to shop prices among facilities and doctors can help consumers lessen that burden.
For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents. Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care
*Information provided by BCBS of North Carolina and BCBSNC Blog post dated January 7, 2015