HCA posts cost of services for uninsured online

Tennessee-based hospital chain HCA on Friday began posting the prices of services for the uninsured at its hospitals in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, according to spokesperson Ed Fishbough, the Tennessean reports.

HCA last spring announced the price transparency initiative to promote consumer-driven health care and began a trial program in October 2006 at about 10 hospitals in Dallas.

HCA plans to begin posting prices at most of its 165 hospitals across the nation by midsummer, Fishbough said.

Through the program, uninsured people will be able to visit a hospital's Web site to access a list of price ranges for common procedures.

Those who are insured will be able to call a telephone number to obtain an estimate for the price of services.

According to the Tennessean, HCA's efforts are "part of a broader trend" as "health care costs have skyrocketed and employers have passed more of the cost onto workers."

Several other Web sites, hospitals and insurers offer similar services, the Tennessean reports.

In addition, HHS last week announced a plan to compile local health care cost and quality data as part of an effort to promote health care transparency (Pack, Tennessean, 3/4).