How well do you know healthcare costs?

Answer: A. Larger physician practices tend to have more market power, allowing them to negotiate higher prices without necessarily providing higher quality care, concluded a study in the journal Health Affairs. Source

Answer: B. Higher prices were not associated with higher overall patient ratings of care or physicians, according to research published in Health Affairs. Source

Answer: C. Some urgent care clinics are considered part of a hospital, even if they’re not physically located next to a hospital. They are capable of higher-level care, and bill accordingly—even for routine care, like a strep test. Source

Answer: A. Even if it’s done during a routine checkup, lab testing related to a chronic condition or for medication management may be billed as diagnostic, not preventive care. This is a common reason why patients receive an unexpected bill after an 'annual physical'. Source

Answer: C. Independent lab facilities often charge less than hospital-based labs. Costs can be higher even if you never set foot in a hospital, but your sample is sent to one for processing.

Answer: All of the above. Facility fees can be charged to cover operating costs of a facility that’s affiliated with a health system–even if the facility isn’t actually on a main campus of the system. These can feel like hidden fees to consumers.

Answer: B. The wide variation in prices for the same service makes it difficult to know what you'll pay. CareHive helps members cut through confusion by analyzing both price transparency data and actual claims, making it easy to compare costs for procedures and appointments before they go for care.