State-sponsored price transparency programs for ophthalmic services. Issue 4 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, John C; Ghauri, Sophia Y; French, Dustin D; Scott, Ingrid U; Greenberg, Paul B
• Is Part Of: Health policy and technology. Volume 11:Issue 4(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Price transparency -- Websites -- Cost -- Cataract surgery -- Laser posterior capsulotomy; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Medical policy; Medical technology; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Biomedical Technology -- Periodicals; Technology Assessment, Biomedical -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2022.100679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-8837

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To characterize the information provided by state-sponsored price transparency programs and describe price variation for ophthalmic services. Methods: We searched for state-sponsored price transparency programs and reviewed all available information on ophthalmic services. Results: In total, 55% (6/11) of state-sponsored price transparency programs included ophthalmic services. Three provided nonfinancial value metrics, five provided prices by clinician organization, and none reported out-of-pocket costs, insurance costs, or prices by insurers for ophthalmic services. The median within-state price ratio was 3.65 (interquartile ratio [IQR]: 2.04–7.91). Mean prices for cataract surgery ranged from $2575 to $5097 and from $873 and $27, 801.66 for retinal detachment repair. Discussion: Most of the eleven state-sponsored price transparency programs included pricing information for ophthalmic services. No programs provided specific out-of-pocket costs, insurance costs, or prices by insurers for ophthalmic services. There was substantial variation in prices for all included ophthalmic services within and between states.