Three CSG/ERC states lead nation in heath price transparency

All but five states nationally earned an F grade for public reporting of health prices according to Catalyst for Health Care Reform’s 2015 Report Card on State Price Transparency Laws. Three of the five exceptions were from CSG’s Eastern region: Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

The report assesses state laws, regulations, and public websites to make health care prices public, allowing consumers to base purchasing decisions on the value of care. New Hampshire moved from an F in 2014 to earn the only A this year by publishing NH Health Cost, a consumer-friendly price transparency website. The authors suggest that other states use NH Health Cost as a best practice model. This year Maine and Vermont maintained their 2014 grades, B and C, respectively. Unfortunately Massachusetts dropped from a B in 2014 to an F this year due to shutting down MA Health Care Options.

The authors report signs of progress in many states and expect grades next year to be higher across the United States.