FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:
Virginia Health Information
Michael T. Lundberg, Executive Director
Phone: 804-644-7026or 804-690-6098
Toll Free: 1-877-VHI-INFO
Web address: www.vhi.org

Closing the Gap on Healthcare Pricing Transparency:

VHI Releases New Report using APCD Data  

Richmond, VA – According to a 2015 Consumers Union Survey, nearly one third of Americans who had hospital visits or received surgical procedures in the last two years were misinformed or unclear about their hospital fees. VHI is working to help prevent unexpected medical bills with price transparency for consumers. 

Virginia Health Information (VHI) has released their Healthcare Pricing Transparency Report, available free to the public at http://vhi.org/healthcarepricing/ . With more money coming out of their pockets, price transparency might have the biggest effect in informing the public about healthcare costs and support a more efficient healthcare delivery. This report does not stop there though. Consumers can compare the average amount health insurance companies approve for over 30 services including tests, surgeries, doctor visits and emergency room care. The report also includes a clear description of each service and its potential benefits.

Based upon 2015 paid claims, this report marks the first year data was used entirely from the Virginia All Payers Claim Database (APCD). With a clean user interface, consumers are able to make statewide and regional comparisons and access links to health care financial assistance programs. Additional information helps consumers seeking hospital and insurance estimates. “The publication of the 2015 Healthcare Pricing Transparency report serves as a clear benchmark in the maturation of the Virginia APCD,” says Kyle Russell, APCD Program Manager. “It is yet another example where the APCD is driving meaningful progress in healthcare transparency throughout the Commonwealth”.

Transparency in health care prices is a national issue with states taking on the challenges to collect and share this information with the public. In a recent national report card, Virginia was one of just six states to receive a passing grade in pricing transparency. VHI appreciates the support of our stakeholders in expanding this information to help Virginians make more informed health care purchasing decisions.

Since 1993, VHI has supported and advocated for health care transparency in Virginia.  Virginia Health Information (VHI) is the nonprofit organization that businesses, consumers, the Commonwealth of Virginia and health insurance companies come to for health information. For those without Internet access call 1-877-VHI-INFO to receive information by mail. VHI publishes reports and consumer guides on health insurance, hospitals, HMOs, nursing facilities, physicians and other topics at www.vhi.org.  For the latest updates, find and like VHI on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vahealth