California Fails in Healthcare Cost Transparency

California healthcare cost transparency laws are seriously lacking, according to a new national study released Monday, which looked at how much healthcare pricing information is readily available to consumers.

(View the study attached to the right.)

California received a "D" for its overall legislative effort toward price transparency for healthcare, according to the report. Thirty-six states received a "D" of "F" and only 14 got a grade of "C" or better. Massachusetts and New Hampshire were the only states to receive an "A." 

The study graded each state on a set of criteria, awarding more points to states with laws requiring health care cost information be posted on a website. States received less points if their laws require the information be released in a public report, be made available on request or only require release to a specific state agency.  

The report card was released by Catalyst for Payment Reform and the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, nonprofit advocacy organizations representing doctors, patients and employers.  

For Westwood and Century City medical procedure costs, type in search terms, such as "appendectomy," for your zip code using healthbluebook.com.

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