California-based HealthCare Partners Medical Group, the state's largest private physician practice, last week posted on its Web site the prices for 58 common procedures, the Los Angeles Times reports. According to the Times, the "move was motivated in part by the rapid advance" of retail clinics at drugstore chains and discount stores and "answers calls from President Bush and others to give consumers the information to make better health care choices."

The list prices represent the practice's cost plus a small profit margin that varies depending on the procedure, according to Robert Margolis, CEO of the group. Margolis added that the prices usually are more than what the government pays for the procedures and less than or equal to private insurers' negotiated rates. The price list is limited to common and routine tests, such as chest X-rays and flu vaccinations, along with preventive care services. However, the group notes that additional tests ordered by physicians will add to total patient costs.

The group offers a toll-free support line to answer questions and provide more details about costs. HealthCare Partners hopes the pricing will make it easier for patients to budget for medical expenses. Margolis said, "This was an attempt to have fair and standardized pricing that people paying out of pocket would find attractive and valuable." According to the Times, the "effort could prompt other physician groups to follow suit" (Girion, Los Angeles Times, 5/28).

Broadcast coverage
American Public Media's "Marketplace" on Monday reported on HealthCare Partners Medical Group. The segment includes comments from Karen DeSalvo, an associate professor at Tulane University School of Medicine, and Stefan Kertesz, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama School of Medicine (Roth, "Marketplace," American Public Media, 5/28). A transcript and audio of the segment are available online.

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