Consumers who use cost estimator tool pick higher quality physicians

Consumers who utilize internet-based cost transparency tools are more likely to choose physicians designated as high quality, according to a study from Strategic Insights Group on behalf of UnitedHealthcare.

The researchers sought to shed light on the effects of transparency tools on provider choices and healthcare spending through an analysis of UnitedHealthcare’s myHealthcare Cost Estimator (myHCE)—which provides accurate and personalized cost estimates for members. The tool shows pricing by episode of treatment alongside provider quality and cost information, and also assigns a designation to physicians based on an analysis of their quality and cost efficiency (Q&E).

For the study, the researchers compared myHCE users and nonusers on demographic, plan design characteristics and provider choices one year following the launch of the tool.

Those members who had used myHCE had higher odds of seeking out Q&E physicians compared to their counterparts. This effect is also seen among plans with and without higher cost-sharing. In other findings:

• MyHCE users had a 9 percent and 7 percent higher odds of using Q&E physicians for orthopedics and primary care, respectively;
• MyHCE users tended to be younger, female and enrolled in consumer-driven health plans; and
• MyHCE users were younger in age with 50 percent aged 40 or younger compared to 40 percent of the nonusers.

“Price and quality transparency tools delivered to consumers via the internet may be an effective way to engage consumers in seeking quality and cost-effective treatments. Future research should focus on examining changes in outcomes through a robust pre-post study design,” concluded the authors.

Read the full study here.