New website allows consumers to compare hospital prices in Maryland

Maryland residents now have access to a cost-comparing database that can help them choose a hospital based on their financial means.

The Maryland Health Care Commission launched a statewide website this week in an effort to improve transparency about hospital prices for common procedures, according to the Baltimore Sun. The site, wearthecost.org, contrasts pricing for four common procedures—hip replacements, knee replacements, hysterectomies and vaginal deliveries—at hospitals across Maryland, including Johns Hopkins, Sinai Hospital and Medstar hubs.

The information, which is also available through hospitals and insurance companies, is now compiled into one clean, straightforward site, the commission told the Sun. Through charts and condensed lists, wearthecost.com allows patients to make more informed decisions about where they want to receive medical care. The website takes into account not only a procedure’s baseline cost, but also the expense of follow-up care, risky complications and doctor’s visits.

Hospital prices often differ due to complexity of care, hospital efficiency and number of patients. The website calculates cost based on private insurance plans, but doesn’t include Medicare, Medicaid or out-of-pocket prices. The commission said it will be expanding the site as time goes on to include more procedures, payment options and information.

Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun’s website: