California Fails in Healthcare Costs Transparency

California health care cost transparency laws are seriously lacking, according to a new national study released Monday, which looked at how much health care pricing information is readily available to consumers.

Estimated prices for certain healthcare procedures in your area can be found on sites such as healthcarebluebook.com. It lists procedures such as EEG testing for $360 and fetal ultrasounds for $239 in the Belmont area.

(Find the study attached to the right.)

California received a "D" for its overall legislative effort toward price transparency for health care, according to the report. Thirty-six states received a "D" of "F" and only 14 got a grade of "C" or better. Massachusetts and New Hampshire were the only states to receive an "A." 

The study graded each state on a set of criteria, awarding more points to states with laws requiring health care cost information be posted on a website. States received less points if their laws require the information be released in a public report, be made available on request or only require release to a specific state agency.  

The report card was released by Catalyst for Payment Reform and the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, non-profit advocacy organizations representing doctors, patients and employers.  

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