By Charity Beall, CHM Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
From the April 2020 issue of Heartfelt Magazine.
Shopping around for healthcare stretches dollars farther and, in effect, lightens the financial burden for you and other CHM members. Price shopping helps you:
1) Understand the cost of healthcare
2) Work with quality healthcare providers
3) Steward well your and other CHM members’ finances
CHM staff uses several healthcare cost comparison shopping websites to determine fair pricing and negotiation offers. They are:
Newchoicehealth.com is a national marketplace for you to search procedures at self-pay rates in your local area. You can use the drop down menu to search for procedures after selecting “Uninsured/Self Pay” as “Insurance Type.” Tab over from there to enter your geographic area.
You can also request a free quote. If New Choice Health has a contracted partner(s) in your area, your quote(s) will be precise. This list of providers gives you a great starting point from which you can research provider reviews in addition to evaluating pricing. There are no obligations to take a next step or schedule an appointment.
Another example of a cost research tool is surgerycenterok.com. To start your search, simply click the applicable body part on the site for additional information. Please be aware that this facility has only one location in Oklahoma City, but members within the region may find that the often-times significant savings is worth additional travel.
Dr. Keith Smith, the founder of The Surgery Center of Oklahoma, works diligently to build relationships with other providers who work within the free market pricing model. He desires to include other inpatient facilities such as The Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma City. If driving to Oklahoma City is an option for you, please consider contacting them by emailing contact@surgerycenterok.com or calling 405-475-0600 for information.
Another free market option includes fmma.org/shophealth. This site is more technical in nature in that it lists procedures as they are described within the medical industry. Simply use the “Services” section to find procedures and pricing. The “Providers” tab gives you a list of providers and their locations.
Free market providers are known for great pricing. As a Christian who seeks to be a good steward of the resources given to me by God, I am favorable to this approach. I’ve found much value in the insight they offer and trust you will too.
Proverbs 11:1 (NLT): The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but He delights in accurate weights.
