Go to www.outofpocket.com/OOP/Default.aspx to determine the average cost for a colonoscopy. Using a source such as www.newchoicehealth.com, determine the cost for a colonoscopy in your city and in a nearby city. What is the most and least expensive in each city? Are prices comparable to the national average? Why are there differences or similarities in the range of prices for the two cities?
Would you shop around for the best price on a medical procedure? Most patients do not know the price of a medical procedure, and many might not care because they think insurance will cover it. But that is not always the case. Many patients are paying out of their own pockets for their health care. However, healthcare costs and doctors’ prices are now more transparent thanks to the Internet. Several Web sites arm patients with cost information, and others allow them to make price comparisons in their areas. They might even get a coupon for a price reduction from a participating provider.