Coverage Basics: How Much Things Actually Cost
Often, healthcare consumers don't have a clear understanding of just how much medical services cost. For many years, health plans insulated members from the true cost of these services by making payments directly to doctors or hospitals.
Did you know:
- The national average cost of an MRI is nearly $2,000
- Heart bypass surgery costs about $57,000
- The average cost of a 30-day prescription of one name brand drug is $71 compared to $22 for the generic equivalent
- National healthcare expenditures are expected to nearly double over the next 10 years
Knowing what you're spending and keeping an eye on healthcare costs are important parts of keeping healthcare affordable for all of us. Here are some things we can all do to make a difference:
- Ask for FDA-approved generic drugs instead of more expensive name brands
- Make sure you're getting the right treatment, and always ask your doctor any questions you may have
- Review all explanation of benefits for accuracy, and ask about any costs that you don't recognize or understand. More information on how to recognize possible fraud activities on your explanation of benefits, can be found here.
