Published: June 26, 2023
LANSING, MI – Sparrow Health System has again been ranked a national leader for transparency in pricing for care and services and are making it easier than ever to use an innovative and simple new online tool that outlines how much consumers are estimated to pay for common procedures, such as lab and imaging tests.
The Price Transparency Report, analyzing more than 5,300 hospitals nationwide, gave Sparrow the highest score possible. Sparrow was among only 59 hospitals throughout the country who ranked so high for publishing pricing data.
Sparrow was the only health system in Mid-Michigan, and among only five in Michigan, to average a perfect score for transparency. Some of the top health systems in the country achieved the highest rating, such as the Mayo Clinic.
“Patients should have full transparency on pricing for healthcare services. Sparrow is proud to have been recognized as a leader in this area,” said Paula Reichle, Chief Financial Officer, Sparrow Health System. “Healthcare is expensive and consumers should be able to compare prices. Providing accurate information about how much healthcare services cost and the amount a patient may need to pay is a basic requirement.”
Pricing transparency has been a major issue in healthcare in recent years and Sparrow has worked hard to lead the way in helping patients manage their medical costs and understand complex pricing information.
Sparrow’s Patient Cost Estimator allows patients to use their MySparrow account to shop for hundreds of services and get a customized estimate for out-of-pocket and insurance costs. We’ve made changes to our Sparrow.org website to allow prospective patients to more easily use the tool, which is personalized based on the individual and their insurance coverage. That means an individual can check the cost of a CT scan or a blood test, for instance, and whether they will have to pay anything out of pocket.
Since January 2021, all hospitals operating in the U.S. have been required by law to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide, including payer-specific reimbursement.
Sparrow’s Patient Cost Estimator Portal exceeds government requirements by offering individualized patient estimates of out-of-pocket costs. To access the portal, go to Sparrow.org/EstimateYourCost.
Sparrow also launched a dedicated support line to help address any questions patients may have regarding their healthcare estimates. Sparrow’s Patient Estimates Team can be reached by email at Estimates.Team@Sparrow.org or at 517.364.6070.
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Sparrow Health System is Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, Michigan Athletic Club, and Al!VE. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.