HCF and HealthShare team up to help consumers make more informed decisions
First of its kind tool to help members avoid out-of-pocket costs or minimise gap payments.
Help is on the horizon for HCF members with the launch of a new tool designed to help consumers navigate the world of out-of-pocket medical expenses. The new initiative, which you can access through the HealthShare website, allows HCF members to search through a directory of specialists and find valuable information about the out-of-pocket expenses they charge.
HCF's medical director Dr Andrew Cottrill said that out-of-pocket expenses are a pain point for consumers and this new tool will help consumers make better, more informed decisions.
"Fees can vary widely between medical specialists and it is difficult for consumers to make informed decisions when selecting healthcare providers. We are advocating for increased transparency around costs for our members. By developing this platform, we want to empower our members to make decisions with a greater awareness of the potential out of pocket costs they may face," said Dr Cottrill in a statement.
Members can search the HealthShare database and they'll be shown what they're looking at in regards to out-of-pocket costs, based on previous claims data. This information is available to GPs so that they can use this tool when discussing treatment options and specialists with HCF members, a move which HealthShare CEO Rami Weiss says is a win-win for consumers and doctors.
"At HealthShare, we believe that the best health decisions are informed ones – especially when it comes to choosing the right specialist for each person's needs. That's why our independent platform provides patients and their GPs with key information about a specialist, including their clinical expertise, practice locations, fees, availability and more," Weiss said in a statement.
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