Recent research has shown that there is growing employee demand for health care cost and quality information. Aetna is responding by expanding the availability of its’ Health Care Cost Tools to 14 markets this month. Employees in the new markets will have access to web-based resources, such as, the Medical Procedure by Facility Cost Tool and the Physician-Specific Price Transparency Tool, both available through Aetna Navigator.

WHAT IS THE MEDICAL PROCEDURE BY FACILITY COST TOOL?
The Medical Procedure by Facility Cost Tool enables you to compare cost ranges for services provided at specific facilities. It shows a range for the entire cost of over 30 common procedures for example, maternity care, CT scan and colonoscopy, from admission through discharge. This includes the facility charges, physician fees and any ancillary charges such as anesthesia services.

The Medical Procedure by Facility Cost Tool is now available in the following locations. Each of these locations will have access to the physician-specific price transparency tool as well.

WHAT IS THE PHYSICIAN-SPECIFIC PRICE TRANSPARENCY TOOL?
Physician-Specific Price Transparency tool offers you access to physician-specific pricing for up to 30 of the most common services and procedures performed in the physician’s office, for example, routine office visits, strep testing, or x-rays.

Aetna is expanding access to the Physician-Specific Price Transparency Tool into the following territories:

• Alaska
• Northern New Jersey
• Southern New Jersey

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AS AN EMPLOYEE?
The expansion of the health care transparency tools will help you in making better informed decisions about your health care choices. Employees can view the actual doctor’s rates specific to their health care plan for office visits, diagnostic services, minor procedures, major procedures and other services. Rate information is included for up to 30 of the most widely accessed services by specialty.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
If you have any additional questions about Aetna’s health care cost tools, please contact either your HR department or call your BenefitsVIP representative today to get additional information.