Spine surgeon Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD, managing partner with the Orthopaedic & Spine Center in Newport News, Va., recently reported on the trend of having monetary conversations with patients.
He reported more patients are wondering about how much different treatment options will cost and making decisions partially on whether they can afford it.
"The decision lies with the patients," Dr. Carlson said in the report. "It's their lives and their medical issues they have to treat. But we are having those cost discussions and using it as an opportunity to educate patients on how they can make more informed choices in their healthcare."
The article points to cost compare tools, such as the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Cost comparison which allows members to review approximate costs for procedures and evaluate physicians' quality outcomes and make decisions based on their current benefits about treatment. He stressed the importance of finding a quality medical provider that are also cost-effective.
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