Four things to know about price transparency in ASCs:
1. High-deductible plans are forcing patients to take price and quality into consideration. Because surgery centers often cost less than hospitals but still offer high quality procedures, they may become a popular option for patients.
2. Mergers and acquisitions among hospitals and health systems — specifically acquisitions of physician-owned ASCs — means fewer physicians are performing cases at independent ASCs. ASCs may have to shift their marketing efforts and incorporate price transparency to attract patients.
3. Value-based reimbursement may drive more patients to ASCs embracing price transparency because referring physicians may be operating under value-based care contracts.
4. Price transparency can increase patient satisfaction. When patients know exactly what they’re paying for, the outcome aligns with expectations.
More articles on coding, billing and collections:
Cigna, Humana & now Anthem — Tenet inks another agreement
Tenet signs 4-year contract with Humana — 4 details
Editorial stumps for Virginia to consider CON law review — 7 insights
